Poy Erram had been eerily silent for NLEX early in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
In the Road Warriors’ first seven games in the mid-season joust – where they only won once – the 6-foot-7 slotman out of Ateneo posted per-game averages of only 9.1 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Erram revealed that he’s been hounded by problems off the court, but he’s trying not to let it affect his play.
“Nag-struggle ako personally,” he said. “May mga problema lang ako outside sa trabaho ko na inaayos.
“Pero I realized no excuse talaga. Outside basketball yun, dapat ‘di madamay yung trabaho.”
And so far, Erram has been proving that he’s working things out, and doing a good job of compartmentalizing.
The Road Warriors’ last two games have seen the Defensive Player of the Year show his old form. Though they lost to Ginebra last Sunday, 85-100, Erram collected 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Then against Rain or Shine on Friday, the six-year pro filled the stat sheet with 13 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, a steal, and an assist in nearly 19 minutes of playing time.
One of his blocks proved to be the game-winning play. When Denzel Bowles drove to the rim for the possible go-ahead bucket, Erram timed his jump perfectly and blocked the former Best Import.
That block gave the Road Warriors the ball back, and it led to Olu Ashaolu’s trip to the charity stripe – a trip that turned out to be successful as it propelled NLEX to the pulsating 100-97 win.
“Gusto lang namin manalo. Crucial, and pinasok ako ni coach Yeng. Nasa isip ko talaga ‘pag nagkamali ako, lagot ako, pero ‘di ako nagkamali. I made a choice. Mas gusto ko manalo,” Erram said.
“Tinry ko lang yung best ko na ma-depensahan siya. Yun.”
Erram’s good performances are good news for the Road Warriors. And a part of his solid performances can be attributed to another source of inspiration.
Just last Friday, the 29-year-old and his long-time partner Jerry legally bound their union at Makati City Hall. And soon, they will become one happy family as they are expecting a child this year.
“Well, I’m always inspired maglaro; dagdag inspiration din yun kasi I’m having a family,” said Erram. “Masaya yung feeling na may ine-expect kang mga bagay na ikatutuwa mo.
“Mas makakatulong sa’kin personally, sa growth ko and maturity na rin.”
