SMART CLARK GIGA CITY--TNT big man Poy Erram is happy to be playing in his first PBA finals game but the loss in Game 1 was obviously not the result he wanted.
Erram came through with an impressive finals debut, however, in a losing effort as the the Tropang Giga surrendered a 100-94 decision to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the opener of the Philippine Cup title series last Sunday night.
The 6-foot-8 center pumped in a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds to go with an assist and a steal in 25 minutes of action in his maiden finals appearance in seven years.
"Siyempre masaya kasi ilang buwan pinaghirapan 'yun ng team. And ako rin, seven years na ako sa PBA, so excited lang talaga na makalaro and makapag-compete lalo na Ginebra 'yung kalaban," he said.
Erram was the one who secured the leather off the jump ball between Ray Parks Jr. and Stanley Pringle before calling TNT's penultimate timeout with 17.8 seconds left in regulation.
The 31-year-old cager though was subbed out and was not on the court when LA Tenorio set up Arvin Tolentino's layup that sent the game to an extra frame.
The Ateneo product was part of the starting five in overtime but was called back to the bench after he committed a turnover with 3:44 left and was never deployed again.
"Kung wala o nandun ako (sa court), desisyon ng coach 'yun, Wala naman tayong magagawa dun so move on na lang," he said.
Erram is now looking forward to Game Two as the Tropang Giga try to equalize the series with or without their top scorer in Parks, who is doubtful to play due to a left calf strain.
"Adjustment lang siguro. Tiwala naman kami sa coaches namin. Sila na bahala sa adjustments. Gagawin lang namin trabaho namin at ipapakita lang namin na we want this more."