PBA: Poy Erram return in doubt due to 'severe ankle sprain'

Unless he recovers quicker than expected, Poy Erram could sit out the rest of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals due to a "severe sprain" in his right ankle. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Poy Erram dodged a bullet when it was revealed that his injury in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals was nothing more than an ankle sprain.

However, TNT coach Chot Reyes said that his six-foot-seven center's injury is still painful enough that the worst-case scenario is that he might miss the rest of the championship series against San Miguel.

"He's in an air cast. It's a high-ankle sprain. It's a severe sprain, so we don't know if we can get him back," Reyes said after the Tropang 5G were pounced by the Beermen in Game 3 on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With Erram, arguably TNT's best rim protector, ruled out for the game, June Mar Fajardo beasted out in the paint with a 33-point performance on 12-of-15 shooting, even as Brandon Rosser, Kelly Williams, and Henry Galinato struggled to contain him.

"June Mar had 33 points because we had nobody to match up to his size aside from Kelly. That was really very big for us," Reyes continued.

Worse, a severe ankle sprain could take at least three months to heal, so unless the team decides to take the high risk and activate him as soon as Game 4 on Sunday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Erram might have already played his last game of the season on Wednesday night.

Reyes, though, hinted at the possibility of taking the said risk now that his club is two losses away from kissing its grand slam hopes goodbye.

"We'll find out again tomorrow if he can come back," he further said.

As it stands, though, Erram is expected to continue resting his injured ankle as the Tropang 5G try to avoid going down 1-3 in the series.

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