Poy Erram candidly addressed his emotional Game 5 exchange with coach Chot Reyes during the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, taking full responsibility for the incident.
Two weeks after the TNT Tropang Giga’s championship victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Poy Erram shared the full story behind his tense on-court exchange with head coach Chot Reyes during Game 5 of the Finals.
The heated moment unfolded during a third-quarter timeout after Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar cut TNT’s lead to just four points with a breakaway slam.
Reyes, frustrated by the sequence, called out Erram, which led to the veteran center throwing his towel in frustration—a move that only escalated the tension on the TNT bench.
[ALSO READ: Chot Reyes tells Poy Erram before Game 6: 'Just focus, shut off noise']
Looking back, Erram admitted it was all rooted in emotion and miscommunication.
“Miscommunication lang po talaga sa loob ng court,” Erram shared in an interview on One PH’s Power & Play. “Lamang kami ng 10 points, nagka-turnover, tapos nag-timeout si coach [Chot]. Siyempre, momentum na sa kabila, so nagalit si coach [Chot]. Understandable naman, ako 'yung unang nagkamali.”
Erram acknowledged that his real mistake wasn't the error on the play, but letting his emotions linger.
“Dapat sana after nun, move on na agad. Pero dinibdib ko masyado 'yung sinabi ni Coach kaya nasagot ko siya. After nun, hindi niya na ako ginamit, umupo ako sa likod ng bench, nag-isip, at nag-sorry sa teammates.”
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Despite the incident, the team moved forward, with Erram taking accountability and apologizing to his teammates post-game. That willingness to address the issue, he said, helped the team refocus and eventually clinch the championship by winning Games 6 and 7.
Adding to the post-game noise was Erram’s interaction with the Gin King’s team governor, Alfrancis Chua, who was seen pulling him aside after their Game 5 win.
This immediately sparked rumors about Erram possibly wanting to transfer teams, but the big man immediately clarified the encounter was nothing more than a moment of encouragement.
“Nagkasabay po kami papasok sa loob, tinapik ko siya at nag-congratulate,” Erram explained. “Siya 'yung humila sa akin, kinausap ako. Sinabi niya na i-block out ko lang 'yung noise, huwag makinig sa ibang tao. Puro words of encouragement lang po, walang chismis na lilipat ako.”
[ALSO READ: Poy Erram bares Calvin Abueva’s advice helps him adopt right mindset after on-court issues]
Erram emphasized his gratitude for the conversation and Chua’s genuine concern for his well-being, putting an end to the transfer rumors.
“Concerned po si Boss Al sa akin, hindi tungkol sa team or trades — more on personal advice lang talaga,” he added.
With the Finals incident now behind him, Erram hopes the lessons he learned in those emotional few days will make him a better leader and teammate moving forward as TNT gears up for their grand slam push in the Philippine Cup.