Thoss visits ailing dad

It’s not that Sonny Thoss receives preferential treatment in the 17-man Gilas Pilipinas pool as PBA media affairs bureau chief and special assistant to the commissioner Willy Marcial explained yesterday the 6-7 forward was picked by coach Chot Reyes on condition he’ll begin active practices when Alaska ends its campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup. Until then, Thoss is free to attend the Monday night drills as an observer.

 In Gilas’ inaugural practice two weeks ago at the PhilSports Arena, Thoss showed up and vowed to do his best for the country. “I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to play for Gilas,” said the 31-year-old Aces star. “I’ll do my best to contribute what is expected of me. I’ll try to help in any way possible. Our first practice was short and sharp, more getting into the flow of the system.” Despite the Alaska exception, Thoss suited up and played. Marcial said he probably wasn’t informed of the condition. “We were actually surprised he played,” noted Marcial.

Last Monday, Thoss was excused from attending the second Gilas get-together as he flew to Cebu to visit his father, stricken with cancer. Coach Chot Reyes described the second session as “a great, high-energy practice.” He added, “Sonny didn’t attend as he had to rush home to Cebu to be with his father while Greg (Slaughter) injured his shoulder during an N-Lex practice ... Jeff (Chan) attended but didn’t play, otherwise, all were present.” Chan fractured the thumb of his left shooting hand at a Rain Or Shine practice two weeks back and will be out of commission for at least another two weeks.

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 Marcial said before Reyes named the 17-man pool, he was informed of the conditions set by PBA commissioner Chito Salud in consultation with the PBA Board of Governors. One condition was any player picked from Alaska wouldn’t join the Gilas practice if the Aces remain in contention in the second conference. Another condition was Reyes could choose only one player each from Petron, San Mig Coffee and Barangay Ginebra but they could start practicing with Gilas immediately.

 â€œCoach Chot knew of the conditions but to show his faith in Sonny, he was still picked,” said Marcial. Even assuming Alaska wins the Commissioner’s Cup title with every playoff series going the distance, Thoss will be able to practice two months with Gilas so there’s enough time to assimilate. Besides, Thoss is a Gilas veteran and knows Reyes’ system well.

The Aces have never turned their back on the national squad and it will be recalled that in 1998, they gave up the chance to clinch a second Grand Slam when coach Tim Cone and the core of the team represented the country at the Asian Games.

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Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Gilas’ first two practices has been positive. “I don’t think it’s possible to name who’s the most enthusiastic because everyone is super ganado,” said Reyes. Even newcomer JuneMar Fajardo of Petron is caught up with the excitement of representing the country in the FIBA-Asia qualifiers for the FIBA World Championships in Madrid next year.

 Fajardo, 23, said he’s committed to go all the way with Gilas. “In our first practice, my most memorable moment was the joke time with Gary (David) when we finished playing,” he laughed. “Seriously, what I hope to contribute to Gilas is my commitment and willingness to play for our country. Also, hard work at practice. I want to help out in defense. Coach Chot and his staff and the players all welcomed us newcomers to the team. They’re all nice guys. So far, we’ve done drills and I’m sure as we go along, I’ll be able to learn a lot of things that I can apply with Petron in the PBA.”

 Every team in the PBA is represented in the Gilas pool except Air 21, Barako Bull and Meralco. Talk ‘N’ Text has seven players in the lineup, Rain Or Shine two, Global Port two and Alaska, Barangay Ginebra, Petron and San Mig Coffee one each. Naturalized player Marcus Douthit and Slaughter are the only Gilas players not affiliated with a PBA team.