Their backs against the wall, the TNT Tropang Giga leaned on the heroics of Poy Erram in the fourth quarter to send the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals to a Game 7.
Barangay Ginebra’s comeback win in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals was virtually overshadowed by the sideline drama of TNT Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes and center Poy Erram apparently exchanging heated words during a timeout.
So, leading up to Game 6, a do-or-die game for the Tropang Giga, foremost on everyone’s mind was how Erram would perform. But as it turned out, there was nothing to worry about.
Erram scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, and his crucial tap off a missed free throw by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the last nine seconds helped preserve the Tropang Giga’s 87-83 victory that sent the series to a deciding seventh game on Friday.
Erram even showed off some swagger, giving the pro-Ginebra crowd a slight smirk after a crucial basket.
RHJ tipped his hat to Erram for that hustle play that gave him a chance at redemption after he missed his two free throws.
“I don’t know, man. I can’t really say,” RHJ said when asked about the missed freebies. “I can’t really say. It happened. I’m glad Poy was hustling and we were able to get it back. The rest took care of itself. Appreciate it.”
All good
Reyes, though, downplayed the Game 5 spat with Erram and said the two of them were always on the same page. Whatever noise there was online, the coach said he didn’t see or hear any of it.
“We felt no need to address it. Number one, I wasn’t aware of what you were talking about because I don’t read those things. I just stayed focused on the task at hand. And whatever you were talking about outside, that has very little value to us. I don’t know whatever that is, so I’m sorry I cannot respond to that.
“We had a regular team meeting yesterday, and we didn’t even need to address it because that’s the level of trust in our team. That’s our depth. And if we get on each other’s nerves, and we yell at each other, we’re brothers, we’re family, we yell and fight, right? But that doesn’t mean that they’re going to break up as a family, right? So, like I said, we did not even have to talk about it or address it.”
Erram actually got off to a rough start, picking up three quick fouls in the first period. Reyes then gave the veteran center simple advice while also sharing an interesting statistic that emphasized his value to TNT.
“We just told Poy to focus on shutting off the noise. That’s what’s important to him. I told him, of all of our players in this series, he was the one with the highest plus-minus in our effort chart. Poy is the highest. So, we need him on the floor.
“So, I said, focus, shut off the noise, because his presence is very important. Luckily, he did just that tonight.”
Ginebra coach Tim Cone was pretty frank when asked about Erram’s performance: That’s Poy Erram. I mean, what do you want me to say? You can ask Chot about that. Don’t ask me.”
Cone did admit, though, that TNT was the better team on the floor in Game 6.
“Well, we got the game we wanted. We played the game we wanted. But they were just better at it than we were tonight.
“They made big shots. They made big stops. Forced turnovers on us. And we tried to stay in the game. Like I said, it’s the kind of game we want to play. It’s the kind of game that we hope to play.
“But, again, tonight they were better at it than we were. So, we’ll see what we can do in Game 7.”
‘I’m seeking help’
Poy Erram has had a well-documented history of anger management issues. Game 5 was actually the second time in this series that he lost his temper. Following a tough Game 2 loss, he was seen kicking empty water containers on the way to the TNT dugout.
Erram didn’t talk to reporters after his Game 5 outburst, but following his Game 6 performance, he held court for several minutes and admitted that he needed to seek help to keep his emotions in check. He also acknowledged that he has been a distraction to his team.
“There are things happening on the sidelines. But when I’m inside the court, I’m focused.
Outside, of course, there are times when you get yelled at. There are really some situations that I haven’t fixed yet. That’s why sometimes I suddenly snap. People don’t understand why I’m like that. So that’s why I’m seeking help. It’s not bad to seek help.”
Erram said he first saw a specialist during the 2020 bubble, through the help of TNT governor Ricky Vargas and then-team manager Gabby Cui. He said he plans to reach out again to the specialist after the finals. He also appealed for understanding while apologizing for his actions.
“So I do apologize. I apologize to the kids watching. I apologize to the team, to our bosses, to the TNT fans, to you, to the media. I do apologize for how I act. Because it’s not me.
Per se, it’s really not me. So I apologize to everyone that I hurt, if I said something wrong.”
Banner Images courtesy of PBA Media Bureau.