The PBA has heard Poy Erram’s call.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that the league has added more personnel to better police fan behavior after the TNT center complained about receiving unsavory remarks from a heckler back in Game 3 of the Governors’ Cup Finals.
“May ginawa na rin kaming mga hakbang,” said the amiable exec prior to Game 4 of the title bout Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “Naglagay na rin kami ng mga tao, pero kailangan sabihin din nila [players] sa amin.”
Erram called for better player protection from the league after hearing offensive comments from a fan during their eventual 117-103 loss to Ginebra last Friday, which he said was something about his parents.
He actually approached the officials’ table shortly after the match to ask in identifying who that spectator was but was immediately told by Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro to go straight to their dugout.
Players and coaches are prohibited to approach officials postgame.
Erram tried to talk to Castro before leaving but officials had left already.
“Magulang ko na-stroke, hanggang ngayon nagrerecover pa rin mama ko sa States. Tapos babastusin niyo lang?” Erram said as he broke into tears.
“Kung hindi sila [PBA] gagawa ng paraan, ewan ko na lang talaga.”
Castro, though, had already discussed the matter with Erram before Game 4.
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The 2023 PBA Governors Cup Finals is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
