His reaction may have been sufficiently justified.
Poy Erram and his on-court antics have become some sort of a sideshow in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals between the TNT Tropang Giga and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. His seemingly underhanded tactics have been magnified, especially when Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger and Scottie Thompson took a couple of hits.
The TNT big man has definitely attracted unwanted attention in the ongoing championship series. In Game 3 last Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Erram was targeted by an unruly heckler, who even hurled insults at the former’s mother.
In response, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle asked the PBA technical committee to do something about the rowdy fan. In an interview with One News’ Martie Bautista, Erram disclosed why he took exception to the spectator’s untoward remarks.
“May sinabi kasing masama tungkol sa magulang ko. Medyo hindi ko kaya as a basketball player. Medyo nahirapan ako kasi unang-una, kaka-reconcile lang namin ng mother ko after ilang years, and na-stroke siya. So, for me mahirap siya,” Erram revealed.
The 6-foot-8 center made it clear that he could‘ve handled the heckling had it been all about him. But getting others involved was stepping over the line.
“Ok lang ako as a player, ‘yung mumurahin kasi ako ‘yung naglalaro. Pero 'di porke’t nagbabayad sila, [it] doesn’t give them the right to do that. Pero towards sa ’kin, ok lang.”
Erram brought his case to the PBA technical committee, and he was pleased with the proactive response the following game.
“’Yung kanina, bago mag-start ‘yung [Game 4], sinabihan nila [PBA technical committee] ako personally na gagawa sila ng paraan, then nag-sorry din ako. Ngayon gumawa na sila ng paraan na hindi na siya mauulit," Erram divulged.
As a parting message, the 2018 PBA Defensive Player of the Year reiterated his position towards fans who display disorderly conduct inside the arena.
“Ang akin lang, be mindful dun sa mga sinasabi nila kasi tao lang naman din kami, 'di ba? 'Yung status namin na kahit player kami, star player ako, whatever, may feelings din naman kami.”
Hopefully, this Wednesday in the same venue, no controversy will overshadow the pivotal Game 5 of the finals between TNT and Ginebra.
(With reports from Martie Bautista, One News)