Gilas Pilipinas is all set for their title retention bid in the Southeast Asian Games with the arrival of TNT big Poy Erram.
Poy Erram is a welcome addition to Gilas Pilipinas as they aim to defend their Southeast Asian Games crown in Thailand.
The 6-foot-7 Erram is set to shore up the Nationals' reed-thin frontline and jack up their interior defense.
“Poy brings in veteran [experience],” said Black when reporters caught up with him in Bangkok Saturday, Dec. 13.
“And, I think, he'll help us as far as size is concerned. Because one thing we do lack with this team is we don't have much size.”
[RELATED STORY: Coach Norman Black, Gilas Pilipinas kick off SEA Games title defense vs Malaysia]
With the local organizing committee’s flip-flopping rules on eligibility, Gilas ultimately had to scratch off bigs like Ange Kouame and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser from the lineup.
“We lost a lot of our size because of the eligibility rules. So, Poy will be coming in to help us, particularly on the defensive end of the court,” said Black of Erram, who replaced injured Allen Liwag at the last minute.
[RELATED STORY: Tim Cone on Norman Black-led Gilas for SEA Games 2025: 'I wish them well']
A seamless transition is also expected since the former Ateneo big man had already been practicing with the team in Manila.
On top of that, Black is already familiar with his ward’s game, having won three championships with him in the UAAP with Ateneo from 2010 to 2012.
Erram and the rest of the hastily assembled Gilas will be put to the test against Malaysia Sunday, Dec. 14.
Tipoff is at 12:30 p.m. (Manila time)
(With reports from Luisa Morales/One Sports)
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.