TNT’s Erram out for rest of PBA Finals

MANILA, Philippines, July 25 ------ TNT Tropang 5G center Poy Erram is now officially out for the remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. Trailing 2-3 in the best-of-seven finals series, TNT will have a massive hole in the middle with Erram officially ruled out due to a meniscus tear on his left leg.

The 36-year-old, who played 19 minutes in Game 4, did not suit up in TNT’s 86-78 Game 5 win over San Miguel Wednesday evening. “Nagpa-MRI kami. Nagkaroon ng meniscal tear yung left leg ko. Ngayon, namamaga siya so kailangan kong ipa-surgery,” Erram told reporters.

He said that it will take about three to four months for him to recover, as he bared that his knee is swollen. “[Aabutin nang] months. Sabi ng team doctor namin, baka umabot ng three to four (months). Magang-maga nga ngayon, nahihirapan ako maglakad,” he said. “Parang ganoon na rin [wear and tear.] Hindi ko masabi kung saan ano eh… kasi ang feeling ko yung last game, talagang may gumalaw talaga. Gumanoon talaga yung tuhod ko, tapos syempre nakagamot ako, hindi ko masyadong naramdaman. Kinabukasan, yun na, magang-maga na,” he added.

For now, Erram said there is no scheduled surgery to fix his knee yet. The big man did not play in Game 3 of the series due to a high ankle sprain on his right foot. But he saw action in Game 4 as the team struggled with injuries. “Hanggang ngayon magang maga pa rin [ang sprain] Wala pa siyang motion, medyo itim pa rin siya. Pero part talaga ng trabaho yun, syempre once na mag-step ka sa court, it’s a risk. Hindi mo naman masasabi na sinadya, aksidente eh,” he said.

For now, Erram will play the role of a cheerleader as the team tries to overcome a 1-3 deficit in the finals. TNT will thus rely on Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams and Henry Galinato to try and contain Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo and the rest of the San Miguel bigs. Game 6 is today, 7:30 p.m., at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Source: philstar.com