TNT center Poy Erram through 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 contained in 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 remain ready for playoffs
Before the Tropang 5G’s best-of-seven affair with San Miguel Beer within the PBA Finals begins this Sunday, Erram said he not only improved his mental fortitude but in addition found great resolve within 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 actually opened up, I said all of it because I actually had a tough time. He asked me, ‘who gave you your blessings?’ Sometimes, those that provide you with blessings, you ignore them. So who gave all of this to me? It was the Lord who gave all of this to me. Sometimes, I ignore him.”
Erram’s reflection outside of the basketball court was visible even inside stadiums through the Tropang 5G’s championship run within the Philippine Cup.
Just last conference, the previous Gilas Pilipinas big man showed his immaturity in TNT’s campaign within the Commissioner’s Cup.
READ: PBA: Poy Erram credits ‘Tropa’ after profession night in TNT win
In the course of the semifinals of the previous conference, Erram lost his cool and got right into a verbal spat together with his teammate Glenn Khobuntin.
The 6-foot-8’s ill-tempered episodes continued within the finals after being involved in a shouting match his coach TNT Chot Reyes and even caused damage in considered one of the locker rooms at Mall of Asia Arena resulting from frustration.
Nonetheless, after that tournament, Erram showed an almost different personality within the all-Filipino conference. He has his faith to thank for that.
“That is the reality. Each time I actually have loads of problems or I don’t see a solution, I read the Bible after which Jesus Christ will give me a solution. That’s it.”
Because the cliche goes, “when one door closes, one other opens.”
PBA Finals: Poy Erram makes amends, done being a distraction for TNT
That saying might 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 together with his intense demeanor.
This time, Erram is using his experience to assist his fellow bruiser stay composed and avoid the mistakes he had made previously.
“I all the time tell him to take control. That’s what I didn’t have at the moment. I can’t react normally,” the four-time PBA champion said.
“At the least, I can tell that he’s listening. At the moment, irrespective of what I do, I’m not listening. I’m lucky that he’s really listening.”
READ: Poy Erram shows like to best friend Troy Rosario after PBA Finals
There had been times when Ganuelas-Rosser’s emotions had gotten the higher of him. In an elimination round duel against rival Barangay Ginebra, Ganuelas-Rosser was thrown out after a flagrant foul penalty 2 and needed to serve a one-game suspension.
“In relation to Brandon and his game, he’s not the one I’m . Sometimes, he’s not Brandon so I want to check with him. I want 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.
The TNT faithful can expect to see more of Erram’s recent and composed personality when the Tropang 5G shoot for a rare Grand Slam.