Poy Erram out for rest of PBA finals as TNT faces 2-3 deficit vs San Miguel

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Poy Erram says he has been ruled out for the remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup finals against San Miguel as he needs surgery to repair a meniscal tear in his left knee

MANILA, Philippines – TNT will try to get the Grand Slam job done without Poy Erram.

Erram said he has been ruled out for the remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup finals against San Miguel as he needs surgery to repair a meniscal tear in his left knee.

“Our doctor said it will take three to four months,” Erram said in Filipino when asked about his recovery period after the Tropang 5G pulled off an 86-78 win in Game 5 on Wednesday, July 23, to stay alive in the best-of-seven duel.

Erram sustained the knee injury in Game 4 and needed to sit out Game 5 as he also deals with a right ankle sprain.

The finals marked an injury-riddled run for the veteran big man, who twisted his right ankle in Game 2.

After missing Game 3, Erram decided to play again in Game 4 and finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block in the 105-91 loss only to injure his left knee.

But Erram accepted his fate.

“That is part of the job. Once you step on the court, it is a risk,” he said.

Even without Erram in Game 5, TNT did a stellar job containing Beermen star big man June Mar Fajardo to extend the finals and cut its series deficit to 2-3.

A frontrunner for Finals MVP honors with averages of 22.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.3 blocks, Fajardo got limited to a series-low 13 points, although he still had 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

While he is already out of action, Erram will remain on the sidelines.

“That is the only thing I can do — support them, talk to the players about what they need to do offensively, defensively,” said Erram. “Tell them what I’m seeing on the court so I can at least be helpful to the team.”

Game 6 is set at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, July 25. – Rappler.com