PBA: Poy Erram to seek help as he addresses recent personal issues

Poy Erram is addressing his mental health issues through professional help. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Poy Erram admitted that he had been a liability in keeping TNT sharp mentally and emotionally in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.

The emotional concerns reached a boiling point when he and coach Chot Reyes had a verbal tussle during TNT's third quarter timeout in Game 5 on Sunday night.

During practice on Tuesday at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center inside the Ateneo De Manila University campus, Erram, as he told reporters on Wednesday night, took responsibility for the outburst he had.

"I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. I've been a distraction sa team, and everybody knows it. Alam naman ng lahat ng tao," Erram said.

"Nagsalita lahat. Syempre pinagsalita din ako. I said my piece... Nag-apologize ako for being a distraction. Hindi ako nagsabi nang sobra. Sinabi ko lang, 'I apologize.'"

Then he revealed that the recent passing of his father affected him a lot, leading to his emotions taking a toll on him.

"Since namatay yung papa ko, I've been really in a hard place," Erram continued.

"Hindi ko siya na-address, so parang nagbabayad ako doon lalo na sa pressure ngayon."

Because of the personal issues hounding him, Erram revealed that he is seeking professional help regarding his mental health.

"I'm seeking help moving forward hindi lang para sa team, para din sa pamilya at syempre sa trabaho ko kasi if I don't seek help, mahihirapan akong i-revamp," Erram further said, adding that the fan opinions, especially those during that now infamous Game 5 commotion, also factored in his decision.

Erram came alive in Game 6, especially in crunch time, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter while grabbing a crucial offensive rebound that helped the Tropang Giga send their championship series against Barangay Ginebra to sudden death in front of 17,654 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Erram also bounced back from early foul trouble that saw him commit three fouls in just the first quarter.

He not only fouled out of the game, but he also did not commit a single foul the rest of the way.

"Kailangang bumawi. Kailangang manalo kasi ayaw namin na matapos yung series," Erram further said.

"Gusto ko talaga manalo para sa team kasi sa mga nangyayari."

Keeping Erram's cool just like on Wednesday night would be of great help if TNT wants to steal the series away from Ginebra in Game 7 on Friday night.

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