With unlikely guidance from Calvin Abueva and Ervin Sotto, Poy Erram starts to find way

Help can come from anywhere, and Poy Erram received as much from people he never expected at all during this journey of his toward self-healing.

Amidst TNT’s celebration after winning the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup crown, among those whom the emotional big man thanked was Calvin Abueva and former player Ervin Sotto for the support they’ve given him.

“Shout-out lang ako kay Kuya Ervin tsaka kay Calvin Abueva. Sila ‘yung mga out of nowhere na tumulong kumausap sa akin,” he said moments after their 87-83 victory in Game 7 of the Finals at the SMART Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Yes, Erram had some help from ‘The Beast,’ who’s had his fair share of troubles in the past but made sure to do his end of the bargain to better himself.

And there should be no other person than the Kapampangan star who knows how to navigate life with professional help, having undergone counseling, especially during his 16-month suspension just before the pandemic.

In fact, the two met a day before Game 7 and there, of course, they shared stories, with the 31-year-old then receiving advice from his ‘kuya.’

“Calvin, ang laki ng tulong sa akin,” he said. “Kahapon nag-usap kami, nagkita kami sa mall. Yung advice niya sa akin … we’re both the same eh.

“Parang pareho kami ng nangyayari [sa amin]. Pero sabi nga niya, focus ka lang sa laro, alam mo kung gaano ka kagaling.”

Then there’s the cager turned coach in Sotto, who was one of his mentors during his time with NLEX, specifically during the 2018-19 season.

No doubt that their connection has gone beyond their stint together with the Road Warriors, thus his gratitude to the father of star center Kai.

“Pati kay Kuya Ervin, ang laking tulong sa akin,” said Erram, who played for the franchise during that said season before being shipped to TNT in 2020.

Clearly, their advice worked wonders, with the 35-year-old helping pull off key plays down the stretch to help the Tropa win their second title this season.

The Cagayan de Oro native has now become a four-time league champion and he dedicates his most recent success to everyone helping him.

“Sobrang sweet lang, especially for me. Alam niyo naman kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa’kin, alam niyo naman kung ano ‘yung pinagdaraanan ko,” he said.

“With Him nothing is impossible eh, basta magtiwala ka lang sa Kanya. And magtiwala ka sa mga taong naniniwala sa’yo,” Erram continued

“Doon ako bumabalik eh. Aside doon sa nagsi-seek ako ng help, hindi ko kinakalimutan ‘yung mga tao around me, kasi alam ko sila ‘yung unang tutulong sa akin. So itong panalo na ‘to, para ‘to sa kanila.”

#WATCH: IT’S A BLESSING 🏆

Poy Erram calls this his sweetest championship yet after an emotional rollercoaster in the #PBA2025 Commissioner’s Cup Finals 🏀

📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/FOqrJMl283

— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 28, 2025