TNT center Poy Erram during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Poy Erram has shown some notable changes in his character inside the court.
Little do onlookers know, the TNT big man has also undergone an immense change outside of basketball.
READ: PBA: Poy Erram rues TNT loss, vows to stay ready for playoffs
Before the Tropang 5G’s best-of-seven affair with San Miguel Beer in the PBA Finals begins this Sunday, Erram said he not only improved his mental fortitude but also found great resolve in the spiritual aspect of his life.
“After the finals, Roger (Pogoy) has a mentor whom I talked to about my problems,” Erram told the Inquirer on Friday.
“I really opened up, I said all of it because I really had a hard time. He asked me, ‘who gave you your blessings?’ Sometimes, those who give you blessings, you forget about them. So who gave all of this to me? It was the Lord who gave all of this to me. Sometimes, I forget about him.”
Erram’s reflection outside of the basketball court was visible even inside stadiums during the Tropang 5G’s championship run in the Philippine Cup.
Just last conference, the former Gilas Pilipinas big man showed his immaturity in TNT’s campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup.
READ: PBA: Poy Erram credits ‘Tropa’ after career night in TNT win
During the semifinals of the previous conference, Erram lost his cool and got into a verbal spat with his teammate Glenn Khobuntin.
The 6-foot-8’s ill-tempered episodes continued in the finals after being involved in a shouting match his coach TNT Chot Reyes and even caused damage in one of the locker rooms at Mall of Asia Arena due to frustration.
However, after that tournament, Erram showed an almost different personality in the all-Filipino conference. He has his faith to thank for that.
“This is the truth. Every time I have a lot of problems or I don’t see an answer, I read the Bible and then Jesus Christ will give me an answer. That’s it.”
As the cliche goes, “when one door closes, another opens.”
PBA Finals: Poy Erram makes amends, done being a distraction for TNT
That saying could be applied to the Tropang 5G’s frontcourt woes because while things were looking up for Erram, the team has now turned its attention to its other big, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who has had trouble controlling his emotions with his intense demeanor.
This time, Erram is using his experience to help his fellow bruiser stay composed and avoid the mistakes he had made in the past.
“I always tell him to take control. That’s what I didn’t have at that time. I can’t react normally,” the four-time PBA champion said.
“At least, I can tell that he’s listening. At that time, no matter what I do, I’m not listening. I’m lucky that he’s really listening.”
READ: Poy Erram shows love to best friend Troy Rosario after PBA Finals
There had been times when Ganuelas-Rosser’s emotions had gotten the better of him. In an elimination round duel against rival Barangay Ginebra, Ganuelas-Rosser was thrown out after a flagrant foul penalty 2 and had to serve a one-game suspension.
“When it comes to Brandon and his game, he’s not the one I’m looking at. Sometimes, he’s not Brandon so I need to talk to him. I need to get him back to where he really is,” said Erram.
“Through God, I learned that and I’ll apply that to my teammates,” he added, almost choked up by his emotions.
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The TNT faithful can expect to see more of Erram’s new and composed personality when the Tropang 5G shoot for a rare Grand Slam.
