POY Erram may not be perfect, but he remains a significant part of the TNT organization, so much so that he’s been signed to an extension contract by the franchise prior to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The 6-foot-8 veteran signed a two-year deal along with Rey Nambatac, Kim Aurin, and longtime leader Jayson Castro, proof of how valuable he is to the team despite some on-court distractions he had in the past.
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Erram said he’s just grateful that he continues to wear TNT jersey No. 7, five years since being acquired by the Tropang Giga in a three-team trade with NLEX and Blackwater.
“Blessing siyempre na mag-stay pa rin sa TNT. Contender din naman kami na team, so sobrang blessed pa rin na kailangan pa rin nila 'yung serbisyo ko. Naba-value pa rin nila yung nagagawa ko sa court,” said the big man out of Ateneo.
The 35-year-old Erram played a crucial role in TNT’s second straight trip to the finals as he teamed up with Kelly Williams and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in battling the Rain or Shine bigs of Deon Thompson, Keith Datu, and Caelan Tiongson in the best-of-seven semis which the Tropang Giga ended in five games.
Erram averaged 5.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in the semis.
Of course, his conference was marred by an on-court spat with teammate Glenn Khobuntin, and his ejection right in TNT’s first game of the conference following a flagrant foul penalty 2 committed against Eastern guard Glenn Yang.
Still, TNT management was understanding and generous enough to bring him back for the next two seasons.
And for this, Erram is truly grateful.
“Yung opportunity na binibigay nila sa akin sinusuklian ko lang din kasi siyempre malaki rin naman yung nagagawa nila sa akin financially, mentally, and emotionally. Ang laking tulong sa akin ng TNT, 'yun ang hindi alam ng ibang tao,” he disclosed.
“Kaya sinusuklian ko lang yung tiwala nila sa akin.”
Erram added he felt the sincerity of management when he was offered a new extension contract.
“May tiwala pa rin naman ako sa team na family kami. 'Nung una may uncertainty na baka mapunta sa iba (teams). Pero the way they talked to me, the way they approached me, the way they communicated with me, nakita ko naman na willing sila na kunin yung serbisyo ko ulit,” he said.
Averaging 7.0 points (fifth best among TNT locals), 5.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game for the entire conference, Erram shoots for his fourth championship with TNT opposite Barangay Ginebra beginning on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Declaring himself 100 percent healthy, Erram is keeping his fingers crossed the Tropang Giga will end up winning their second title in a row this season - and move ever closer to a season grand slam.
“Sana nga doon mapunta ito,” he said.
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