Poy Erram only averaged eight minutes three games into the PBA Philippine Cup semis. When he was given extended time come Game 4, he made sure to step up big time.
TNT big Poy Erram has not really made his presence felt in the ongoing PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
That all changed Sunday night, Jan. 11.
Now playing significant minutes, Erram put up 27 points in the Tropang 5G’s dominant 102-83 win over Meralco in Game 4 of the semis.
The 6-foot-7 beanpole set the tone early, putting up 21 of his total scoring output in the first half before his teammates brought the team home.
He also had nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
“I’m just thinking about helping the team any way possible,” said Erram, who averaged just eight minutes in the first three games of the penultimate stage.
“I’m blessed sa mga teammates ko. Talagang nag-adjust kami, nakikita nila ako. Then me having the ball, just being aggressive din, thinking lang na makatulong lang sa team. Kasi alam ninyo naman, hindi ako masiyadong naglalaro, 'di ba?”
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The Southeast Asian Games gold medalist with Gilas Pilipinas then expressed his gratitude to TNT's coaching staff for the trust.
“I’m blessed enough na binigyan ako ng chance na makapaglaro ulit nang mahaba. Thank you sa mga coaches, kay coach Chot,” he said with a smile.
While Erram was at the forefront of the team’s attack in the one-sided affair, it was guys like Jordan Heading, Kim Aurin and Henry Galinato who wrapped it up for TNT in the fourth.
Henry Galinato of the TNT Tropang 5G | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Heading, Aurin and Galinato combined for 23 points in the final frame to help the Tropang 5G stay dominant until the end.
This collective effort made up for RR Pogoy's early exit because of a hamstring injury.
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But Erram and the rest of TNT are not getting ahead of themselves since the job isn’t done yet, even with their 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“Just stay aggressive lang. Meralco is still Meralco, alam naming mag-a-adjust sila. Yes, panalo kami pero marami pa kaming kailangang i-adjust sa offense namin,” Erram said.
Meanwhile, Chris Banchero led all Meralco scorers anew with 19 points but failed to help the squad pull through.
Cliff Hodge and CJ Cansino added 17 markers each.
TNT vs. Meralco Scores:
TNT 102 – Erram 27, Heading 15, Oftana 14, Aurin 10, Williams 7, Galinato 7, Ferrer 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Khobuntin 4, Jalalon 2, Nieto 2, Hill 1, Nambatac 0, Pogoy 0, Enciso 0
Meralco 83 – Banchero 19, Hodge 17, Cansino 17, Caram 8, Black 8, Almazan 7, Quinto 3, Maliksi 2, Rios 2, Bates 0, Jose 0
Quarterscores: 20-19, 45-38, 72-56, 102-83
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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.