POY Erram got a surprise message from a player from an opposing team who showed support after he revealed struggles with his mental health.
The player was Calvin Abueva.
“Mga kumausap sa akin, si Kuya Ervin Sotto at saka si Calvin Abueva,” said Erram. “Kahit magkaiba kami ng opinyon sa buhay, pare-pareho kaming atleta eh. Napagdaanan din nila ‘yung napagdaanan ko. Malaking tulong especially si Calvin.”
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When asked if he was surprised to get the support from Abueva, the 35-year-old Erram said: “Medyo nagulat ako dahil alam niyo naman ‘yung history namin.”
Erram was referring to an incident during a game between TNT and Magnolia during the 2021 Philippine Cup finals bubble in Bacolor, Pampanga when he accused someone from the Hotshots of spitting during the game in a social media post.
At that time, netizens tagged Abueva as the culprit although Erram didn’t identify the player on his post.
Incidentally, Abueva had his own issues on the court including in 2019 when, playing for Phoenix, he clotheslined TNT import Terrence Jones, leading to an indefinite suspension that stretched for 16 months.
During the recently-concluded playoffs, Erram had a spat with TNT teammate Glenn Khobuntin in Game 3 of the semifinals. In Game 5 of the finals, Erram even got into a heated argument with TNT coach Chot Reyes during a timeout.
Erram didn’t go into details on his conversation with Abueva, but said he is thankful for the support from players outside his team after he was getting into heated exchanges with his team.
“I appreciate din ‘yung mga tao na kahit hindi kami ganun ka-close, kapwa ko siya players. Na-appreciate ko. Kahit si Troy (Rosario), ‘yung asawa niya tsaka si Troy, sobrang na-appreciate ko ‘yung mga ganung bagay kasi napagdaanan din nila.
"For me, sobrang thankful ko na magkakalaban kami, nandiyan sila sa well-being ko, na mentally, concerned sila sa akin.”
Erram promised to do the same and l end a hand to players who may be experiencing their own issues.
“Sana ganun din ‘yung iba kasi ako, for sure, I’m going to be like that kasi nakita ko sa kanila ‘yung ginagawa nila sa akin,” said Erram. “If ever may nangyari sa kanila, kung kailangan nila ng tulong, kailangan nila ng kausap, I’m here.
"Kailangan nila mag-seek ng help, I’m here. Ako, ginawa ko sa team ko, ginawa kong example na ‘yung kailangan ko ng tulong, humingi ako ng tulong sa mga bosses ko. Hindi nila ako tinalikuran. Tinulungan nila ako.”
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