MANILA – Joachim Thoss ended his professional basketball career earlier than expected after deciding not to renew his contract with the Alaska Aces ahead the possible restart of the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup next month.
Aces team manager Dickie Bachmann on Sunday told Spin.ph that Thoss decided to end his 15-year professional career, all of which were spent with the Alaska franchise.
Thoss’ contract expired last August, according to Bachmann, and the veteran PBA center opted not to sign a renewal due to uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thoss already informed the Aces management of his decision to retire after the 2019 PBA season, but his squad requested him to postpone it for a jersey retirement ceremony.
The planned ceremonial jersey retirement, however, did not take place since the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup was suspended after the opening day.
Aces head coach Jeffrey Cariaso, meanwhile, said he respects the decision of Thoss, his former teammate at Alaska.
“I respect his decision, if that does happen,” Cariaso said. “The way he’s thinking, because he’s in a different place than anyone else.”
The 38-year-old Thoss ended his PBA career with three championships and one Finals MVP award. He was also a two-time Mythical First Team member, a four-time Mythical Second team and a 12-time PBA All-Star.
Thoss also suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2012 and 2015 Jones Cup, and was a member of the national squad that bagged a silver in the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in Changsha, China in 2015./PN
