Alaska veteran Sonny Thoss to retire after All-Filipino conference

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Sonny “The Boss” Thoss will be retiring in the PBA after 16 illustrious years.

The savvy big man signed a season-opening contract with the Alaska Aces, and that means he will be hanging his jersey after the PBA All-Filipino Conference, mid-way this 2020.

A force in the paint and known for his excellent footwork at the post, Thoss was a former member of the national team and became one of the PBA’s top big men during his prime years with the Aces.

Banging bodies with the likes of Asi Taulava, Jervy Cruz, Rudy Hatfield, Marlou Aquino, and Danny Ildefonso during his time, Thoss broke out of his shell and showed he could stand toe to toe against the big stars of the game.

Thoss will join Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, Bogs Adornado, Sean Chambers, and Jeffrey Cariaso as the only players in the PBA to retire their jersey with the same organization that drafted them.

Thoss’ stint with the Aces got him three total championships and was hailed as the 2013 PBA Press Corps Finals MVP.

He was also a 12-time All-Star, a two-time Mythical first team of the league, and a silver medalist in the FIBA Asia Championship way back 2015.