Poy Erram burst into tears as confetti rained inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum after TNT successfully lorded over the PBA Governors’ Cup anew.
Never afraid to show his emotions, the veteran slotman sat down on the court with his head bowed amid the celebration, visibly overwhelmed.
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While those who have been rooting against him may have discovered meme-worthy material (as today’s generation says), that very moment actually encapsulated everything he had gone through to get to that point once more.
Erram has now won his third league title and it could be the most special of ’em all, considering that he once mulled walking away from the game for good.
“Oo naman. Sobrang special. Kasi looking back, I’m thinking of retiring na rin,” he said moments after their 95-85 Game 6 win over Barangay Ginebra.
The 6-foot-8 center did contemplate calling it quits as he went through an arduous recovery from an MCL injury, swollen cartilage, and bone spurs – all of which kept him on the sidelines for about a year.
But through the support of his family and the Tropang Giga, Erram ultimately decided not to push through it and chose to fight on instead.
“Naalala ko lang ‘yung sinabi ni Coach Chot na stay loyal to your work, and stay consistent,” he said. “And siyempre, mga anak ko, nakikita ko sila everyday. Ayokong sabihin na nag-give up ako agad. Kasi nakakaintindi na rin sila eh.”
No doubt that the 35-year-old made the right decision, as he would find himself basking in glory anew – and with the very same people who encouraged him to soldier on and stay in the game he loves most.
“Naging crucial din ‘yung support system ko – ‘yung family ko, and then siyempre, ‘yung team ko. Binigyan nila ako ng advice na kaya ko pa. And then it shows, na kaya ko pa nga talaga. Ayun lang talaga,” he reflected.
“Hindi lang ako nag-give up sa sarili ko. My teammates and my family, hindi sila nag-give up sa akin. And siyempre si Lord, hindi nag-give up sa akin.”
Serving as a bonus is Erram’s growth into an even better player and individual as well. It showed in he carried himself throughout the recent title series where he was the target of the pro-Ginebra crowd’s jeers.
“Mas nag-focus lang ako sa kaya kong i-control, which is sarili ko. Although may mga time na nakikita niyo na may mga nangyayari, pero quick turnaround lang. Kasi alam ko kung gaano ako ka-importante sa team,” he said.
The 2019 PBA Press Corps Defensive Player of the Year was the recipient of ‘iyakin’ chants from Kings fans throughout the Finals, yet he was unbothered.
“Sabi nga ng wife ko, imaginary ear plugs,” he said. “Pero kahit na imaginary, maririnig mo pa rin talaga eh. So, it’s better to ignore it. Kasi tulad nga ng sabi ko, may gawin ka o wala, may masasabi ang tao, ‘di ba?
“Might as well gawin mo ‘yung tama. May sabihin man sila o wala, at least ‘yung ginagawa mo tama,” added Erram. “Sa kanila na ‘yun.”
Well, Poy did cry a lot on Friday night for the entire Big Dome to see. But all while celebrating with the coveted Governors’ Cup trophy in their hands.
