Poy Erram admitted that it’s never easy making up for Kelly Williams’ absence, especially in a stage as big as the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
Well, aside from providing on offense, the 6-foot-7 slotman and his fellow big man are also tasked to defend San Miguel’s main man in reigning six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo — a job originally designated for their senior.
Make no mistake about it, however. The eight-year pro isn’t in any way complaining — in fact, he’s actually embracing the challenge.
“Siyempre, mahirap din, pero it’s a challenge for me as a player also, kasi June Mar and I have been going at it ever since I came to the league. So for me, going up against a former MVP is a challenge,” said Erram.
“Sinasabi lang ni Coach [Chot Reyes] sa amin, we have one man down, pero ‘di lang naman isang player ang basketball team eh. We have so many players in the team, in the roster, kaya pag nawala ‘yung isa, kailangan mag-step up iba.”
Furthermore, the Ateneo product is motivated to bring his A-game every given night. And proof of that was in Game Three, Friday night.
Erram registered conference-high numbers of 21 points and 13 rebounds, serving as a catalyst of the Tropang Giga’s dominant 115-98 conquest of the Beermen to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
It was actually his second consecutive double-double outing as he finished with 20 markers and 10 boards last game, though they lost.
Photo by PBA Images
“Sabi nga ni Roger [Pogoy], we need to play our A-game every day, every game, ‘cause if you don’t, you know what’s gonna happen. They’re a talented team,” he said moments after the win at the DHVSU Gym.
It helps, too, to have a mentor like Chot Reyes around that allows him to play his game, according to the 32-year-old from Cagayan de Oro,
“I’m honored. He’s one of the best coaches in the PBA. Playing for him is a dream come true because of the system, bagong system, we learn new things, he lets you play basketball the right way,” he said.
“For me, it’s the best thing that can happen to a player, if the coach lets you play. There’s no sugarcoating, no anything, just straight to the point.”
As notable as his performance, though, Erram insisted that their effort as a whole is what made wonders in the wire-to-wire victory.
Even if he was one of the reasons why Fajardo only had 14 points and 10 rebounds that stymied practically the entire SMB, the former Defensive Player of the Year said that it’s all thanks to the work put in by the Tropa.
“I don’t look at it as a player-to-player matchup,” Erram said. “If we play as a team, play good defense as a team, that gives us a chance. Not a guaranteed win, but it gives us a chance, so we’re gonna take it.
“We’re gonna prepare offensively and defensively. In the end, if we have a chance, we’ll take it.”
