TNT big man Poy Erram got a huge sigh of relief after the Tropang Giga pulled through and booked a spot to the finals despite his absence late in their 87-74 victory over Magnolia last Sunday.

Erram was ejected after getting assessed with flagrant foul penalty 2 with just a minute gone by in the final frame following an elbow hit that left Magnolia big man Ian Sangalang with a bloody forehead.

The Tropang Giga center insisted that there was no bad intention and he was going for the ball during that sequence but nonetheless respected the decision of the officials.

“Desisyon yun ng referee eh, 'di naman natin sinasadya. Siyempre 'di naman natin gusto yung mga nangyari 'di naman natin sinasadya yun,” he said after the game.

For Erram though, he was just happy that his ejection did not cost TNT the game as guys like Kelly Williams and Glenn Khobuntin held the fort for the Tropang Giga during his absence.

It also helped that Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva got fouled out midway through the final frame, somehow alleviating the impact of his ejection. TNT even took advantage of it as Jayson Castro spearheaded the fourth quarter assault for the defending champions in the next few possessions.

“Kinabahan ako di ko nga pinapanood laro eh, buti na lang naririnig ko puro Jayson Castro, Mikey Williams nakaka-shoot. Di lang naman ako yung player ng team marami namang player na kaya mag step up sa’kin. Luckily we got the win,” he added.

Erram also apologized to Sangalang for the inadvertent hit, saying that it was just part of the game and nothing personal.

“Marami rin di maniniwala kahit sabihin ko pero ganun talaga e, di ko sinasadya going for the ball, timing lang talaga yung ulo niya nakataas kasi paangat din siya pababa yung kamay, tumama pero nothing’s intentional,” said Erram.

“Siyempre gusto ko mag-sorry kahit di ko sinasadya kasi nakasakit ka ng tao. So sorry talaga, ganun talaga minsan, ganun din nangyayari sa akin, ganun talaga sa laro ng basketball.”

Apologies however won't be enough as Erram was still summoned by Commissioner Willie Marcial, Monday, due to the F2 call. The TNT big man is also expected to get fined.