Poy Erram is grateful to be called up to serve the country yet again with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers’ sixth window this February, but his focus for now is on his mother team NLEX Road Warriors.
Erram, who arrived at NLEX in the off-season via trade from Blackwater Elite, had a sour debut with the MVP Group-owned franchise. The Road Warriors ended up with an 87-96 loss at the hands of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
The 6-foot-8 big man finished with 10 points, five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal against four turnovers.
“Happy na nakasama ulit. Pero hangga’t wala pa yun, siyempre yung priority ko is NLEX. Kailangan munang mag-deliver ng panalo bago mag-Gilas,” said the six-year pro.
“Pero pagdating dun, siyempre kailangan din mag-focus.”
For Erram, Friday night’s game made them realize that they have yet to polish their chemistry. Aside from Erram, the Road Warriors are re-integrating guard Kevin Alas into the fold, as he has fully recovered from an ACL injury.
“Konting adjustments lang kasi ako parang ‘di kami team kanina eh,” he said. “Siguro nahihirapan pa lang sila kung pano ako gamitin. Almost a month pa lang kami magkasama so siguro ‘di pa nila alam pa’no ako dumiskarte.
“Nahihirapan pa akong hanapin sa ilalim.”
But according to Erram, the good thing about the loss is that it is just their first game. The Ateneo de Manila product is positive that they will all be able to figure things out as the conference goes along.
“Good thing about it is first game pa lang naman. May mga games pa to adjust. Yun, matututo kami sa mga mali namin tonight sa game namin then move on,” the 29-year-old, native of Cagayan said. “Magiging okay din kami. Makaka-move on din kami.
“Maaayos din yung system namin. Magiging okay rin yung flow ng team namin.”
