At one point in the third quarter of the Blackwater Elite’s match with the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Wednesday evening, Poy Erram — even if his face was covered in his towel — was seen in tears.
Things weren’t going the Elite’s way during the third frame. They had allowed the Fuel Masters to score 11 straight and take a 59-52 lead, and for Erram, the only contribution he had made during that frame was three points.
“As an athlete, yung passion ko for the game sobrang taas,” Erram explained.
“And to be able to not perform well… Medyo na-disappoint ako sa team, siyempre sa sarili ko kasi hindi ako makapag-perform [nun].”
That show of emotion seemed to have helped the six-foot-seven slotman afterwards. He went on to finish with 12 points along with a game-high 19 rebounds, helping Blackwater edge Phoenix, 83-78, to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive.
And for Erram, the credit goes to his teammates and the coaches.
“My teammates and coaches did not give up on me,” he shared. “Tinulungan nila ako maibalik ang composure ko then I was able to, yun nga, maibalik yung kumpiyansa ko sa sarili and maka-perform nang maayos.”
Aside from the offensive outing, Erram also made his presence felt on defense with an astounding four blocks. But for him, it was just a result of him doing the role he is tasked with, and, of course, their desire to earn the win.
“Gusto ko lang talagang manalo yung team tsaka sinipagan ko lang, kasi yun lang naman talaga yung role ko sa team eh. Yun lang,” said the 28-year-old.
“Buti naman nagawa ko nang maayos and nakuha namin yung panalo.”
This has been Erram’s seventh double-double this conference, tying reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo. But what makes his performance better is that he has now become the league’s rebounding leader, surpassing the Kraken.
“I’m happy na yung four-time MVP, kahit man lang sa stats, medyo nakakasabay ako sa kaniya. Masaya ako,” said the Ateneo de Manila product, who has averaged 14.18 markers and 13.8 caroms at the end of the eliminations.
“Pero dahil din sa teammates and coaches, dahil sa tiwala nila kaya ganoon ang ipinapakita ko, binabalik ko lang yung tiwala nila sa akin.”
