TNT’s victory in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals meant much more than just extending the series for Poy Erram; the embattled center is viewing it as a chance to see and apply the progress he’s yearning to achieve, as he works on himself as an individual and as an athlete to better serve the Tropang Giga.
“Yes, hoping ako,” he told Tiebreaker Times moments after their 95-83 win over Ginebra on Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“I really need to work on myself para makatulong sa team. ‘Yun lang ‘yung pinaka-the best na pwede ko gawin para sa team,” he added.
“Sana magawa ko kasi ‘pag nasa loob ako, ang laking tulong eh, kaysa nakaupo ako.”
Erram became the center of discussion online after committing back-to-back fouls on Christian Standhardinger during a crucial stretch in Game 1. They were his last two fouls of the game, and he’d be reduced to a spectator on the bench as he helplessly watched his team absorb the 102-90 loss.
TNT head coach Jojo Lastimoa admitted that he was pissed at the 33-year-old for what he did, and Erram admitted that it was extremely tough for him as well, for it brought flashbacks of the 2022 Philippine Cup Finals’ Game 7.
Looking back, Erram was ejected with just under a minute left in the first half following an F2 infraction on Mo Tautuaa. The Tropang Giga would eventually lose the Perpetual trophy to the Beermen, 119-97.
“Grabe. Hirap.
“Actually nahirapan din ako matulog after the game kasi parang nagfa-flashback na naman ‘yung nangyari nung last Finals ko eh, All-Filipino,” said the one-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Erram didn’t foul out in Game 2 but was still saddled by foul trouble with five, which, for him, is another reminder of the goal to better himself.
“Hindi maganda, kasi ang nahihirapan ‘yung team e. Imbes na alalahanin nila ‘yung sarili nila, inaalala pa nila ‘ko,” he reflected.
“Kailangan ko talaga mag-work sa sarili ko. Kailangan ko maging patient sa sarili ko. Ano rin e, kasi Finals, andyan ‘yung pressure. Parang minsan kasi, hindi ko alam saan ilalagay ‘yung pressure. Dun ako nahihirapan, kung paano ko i-handle. Tapos, ‘yung emotions ko is everywhere.
“Dun ako nahihirapan. Pag sumobra na, wala na. One, two, three mistakes, sabog na,” added Erram, who’s now in his third season back with the Tropang Giga.
It definitely helps to be able to pinpoint issues, although it’s one thing to take action to address as much. But Erram is keen on doing so.
“‘Yun yung kailangan ko ayusin, na dapat ‘di nangyayari ‘yun,” said the Ateneo de Manila product.
“Dapat ‘di naaapektuhan ‘yung team.”
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The 2023 PBA Governors Cup Finals is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
