Poy Erram rose above the struggles that hounded him in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup playoffs and is now a four-time champion.
Poy Erram, who successfully lifted the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup trophy Friday night, March 28, shared who provided him the unexpected help as he struggled with outbursts during the playoffs.
The enigmatic Erram got involved in a heated exchange with teammate Glenn Khobuntin in Game 3 of the semis and in another verbal altercation with coach Chot Reyes in Game 5 of the Finals.
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Erram said that Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva and Ervin Sotto, a former player and the father of Gilas stalwart Kai, willingly offered their guidance.
"Shout out lang ako kay Kuya Ervin saka kay Calvin Abueva. Sila 'yong mga out of nowhere na tumulong kumausap sa akin. Parang out of nowhere lang, hindi kapani-paniwala,” said Erram, whose team TNT beat Ginebra in Game 7 that went into overtime, 87-83.
[RELATED STORY: Poy Erram admits mistake, apologizes to Glenn Khobuntin: 'OK kami; Wala kaming problema’]
Like Erram, Abueva also found himself in several complicated situations in the league.
In the 2019 Commissioner's Cup, Abueva got banned from the league indefinitely after clotheslining former TNT import Terrence Jones and getting involved in a verbal altercation with and making obscene gestures toward ex-PBA player Ray Parks' then-girlfriend.
“Also Calvin, ang laki ng tulong sa akin. Kahapon nag-usap kami, nagkita kami sa mall,” Erram said.
Erram said Abueva’s advice worked wonders for him as the TNT big man looked more connected to his teammates and kept his whining to a minimum.
“'Yong advice niya sa akin, we're both the same, eh. Parang pareho kami ng nangyayari. Pero sabi nga niya, 'Focus ka lang sa laro. Alam mo kung gaano ka kagaling,'” Erram said.
The issues now behind him, Erram basks in the glory of a fourth PBA championship with the Tropang Giga.
“It's a blessing siyempre lalo na hindi madali. Alam ninyo naman 'yong series namin with Ginebra, sobrang hirap, 'di ba? Sobrang sweet lang, especially for me. Alam ninyo naman kung ano 'yong nangyayari sa'kin 'di ba? Alam ninyo naman kung ano 'yong pinagdaraanan ko,” he said.
[RELATED STORY: Chot Reyes, TNT brace for herculean task of netting rare PBA Grand Slam]
Erram said that in addition to seeking professional help, he turns to God and the people who believe in Him. He said he dedicates the trophy to these people.
“With Him, nothing is impossible, eh. Basta't magtiwala ka lang sa Kanya," said Erram.
"And magtiwala ka sa mga taong naniniwala sa'yo. Doon ako bumabalik, eh. Aside doon sa nag-si-seek ako ng help, hindi ko kinalilimutan 'yong mga tao around me. Kasi alam kong sila 'yong unang tutulong sa akin. So itong panalo na 'to, para 'to sa kanila. Hindi 'to para sa akin.”