Wednesday, August 13, 2008 · News

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[Listen to interview of Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss, MBC Sports, dzRH, 666 on AM band, 6:30 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17.]

Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss were named to the Philippine Basketball Association mythical second team in simple awarding ceremonies before the start of Game Four of the championship of the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 31-year-old Miller averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, four assists and 1.1 steals a game during the past year to earn the nod.

Natuwa na rin ako dahil kahit papaano nanalo ako ng award, said Miller. Mas masarap kung pagkatapos mo makakuha ng award ay maglalaro ka sa finals. Kaya noong makuha ko ang award ko umalis na ako agad. Ayaw ko kasing manood ng basketball kung hindi ako maglalaro. Hindi ko ma-take kaya umalis na agad ako.

Miller and his family are still on vacation but he went to Manila for a quick visit to accept his award.

Nagbabakasyon kami ngayon ng pamilya ko sa Olongapo, said Miller. Lumayo talaga ako sa basketball. Ayaw kong makakarinig o makapanood ng basketball dahil masakit pag tinatanong ako bakit na eliminate kami agad.

The coming Philippine Cup is a good two months away but already Miller is raring to go back into action to make up for their disappointing year.

Kasi ako asar na asar na, said Miller. Gustong gusto kong mag-umpisa na ulit ang laro para makabawi kami. Lalo na dahil dalawang beses kami na eliminate agad. Mas masakit ngayong taon dahil dalawang beses nga kami maagang na eliminate.

Miller is taking full responsibility for the poor showing of the Aces the past two conferences. He promises to be more focused to help his team to a better showing.

I have to step up to be an example to my teammates, said Miller. Namo-motivate ko ang teammates ko kapag maganda ang laro ko. Babawi kami sa disappointment dahil isa kami sa unang nalaglag this conference.

And while this may just be another award for Miller, Thoss is finally getting some long overdue recognition for his hard work all these years in the PBA.

The 26-year-old Thoss scored 9.2 points, plucked 8.1 rebounds, issued 1.7 assists, and tallied one block per game the past season to earn a berth in the mythical second team of the PBA.

I just got lucky which is why I won the award, said Thoss. I do not think I am better than the other centers in the league. I know there are others who are better than me. I will use this as motivation to work harder and become a better player.

The man they call Da Boss says the Aces have a lot of work to do this coming Philippine Cup if they hope to improve their finish the past conferences. He says that he opted not to leave the country to get a head start in his preparation for the coming conference.

I did not go anywhere, said Thoss. I just stayed here in Manila and took care of some things. I worked really hard to get myself ready for the next conference.

Like Miller Thoss is confident of the chances of the Alaska Aces in the coming Philippine Cup.

Winning a championship is always a goal of the team in every conference, said Thoss. I am just going to come out and do the best I can. Personally, I do not have that many expectations. I am just going to come out and work hard and do what the coaching staff asks me to do on the court.