Taulava, Thoss, league’s elder statesmen, retiring after PBA PH Cup

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2020 10:19:14 +0000

By TITO S. TALAO

SONNY Thoss

MILAN – Two of the PBA’s elder statesmen — Asi Taulava of NLEX and Sonny Thoss of Alaska — may be having their swan songs in the 45th season Philippine Cup which starts March 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Dickie Bachmann, governor of the Alaska Aces, said Tuesday on the bus from the Milan Malpensa Airport in Northern Italy that Thoss, their 38-year-old, 6-foot-7 veteran center, has been signed to a final six-month extended contract.

ASI Taulava

“We will be retiring his jersey after the All-Filipino,” said Bachmann.

Drafted fifth overall by the Aces out of James Cook University in North Queensland, Australia in 2004, Thoss is a three-time champion (2007 Fiesta, 2010 Fiesta and 2013 Commissioner’s Cup), a Finals MVP in 2013 and a 12-time All-Star.

He is also a two-time Mythical First Team member and part of the 2004 All-Rookie Team. Known for his laid-back demeanor and shifty post-up moves, Thoss, whose mother is from Cebu, won the PBA Sportsmanship Award in 2011.

Bachmann said Alaska is awaiting for 6-foot-4 former Letran Knights forward Rey Publico, who the Aces drafted in the second round last year, to wrap up his stint with another league before signing him to a contract.

“We’ll be all set after that,” said Bachmann.

Meanwhile, NLEX governor Rod Franco, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp, said 6-foot-9 center Asi Taulava, on his 31st season in the PBA, will likewise be offered a contract extension to run the duration of the  Philippine Cup, leaving the league, if both go on and hang their jerseys, without its two longest-serving players when the Commissioner’s Cup starts in May.

“Baka ganoon na rin kami,” Fra
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