CHOT Reyes and Poy Erram got into a heated argument during a timeout in the third quarter of Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra on Sunday night.
Reyes appeared to have called the attention of his veteran big man after Japeth Aguilar scored on a breakaway, two-handed dunk that cut a 10-point TNT lead to just 47-43 with seven minutes to play.
Erram apparently didn’t like what Reyes uttered, prompting him to throw the towel he was holding.
READ Ginebra outduels TNT in Game 5 dogfight, moves a win from PBA title
That also got the ire of Reyes who became animated and had some words directed at Erram as he moved away from the huddle before a stunned TNT bench.
Former MVP Kelly Williams tried to calm Erram down who went over to the far end of the bench to cool down.
As Reyes returned to the bench and began mapping out a play, TNT players called Erram back to the huddle and the latter promptly did what he was told. He was later replaced by Williams when play resumed at the 7:28 mark.
WATCH:
Ginebra went on to win the match, 73-66, to wrest the lead, 3-2, in the best-of-seven series.
The mid-game spectacle is just the latest controversy in this conference involving Erram, who figured in a spat with teammate Glenn Khobuntin during the semifinal series against Rain or Shine and threw a tantrum in Game 2 of the finals.
The incident was also the second between coach and player in this best-of-seven title series alone.
Reyes and Erram also got into a verbal exchange in the third quarter of Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena, stemming from a non-call on an Erram layup and later, on a useless Erram foul against Justin Brownlee.
The discussion led to Erram retreating to the TNT dugout, but not without kicking the team's water jug on the bench and the TNT equipment placed just outside the door of the Tropang Giga's dressing room.
TNT lost the game, 71-70.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
