POY Erram has ruled himself out of Game 4 of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup finals on Sunday due to a high ankle sprain.
Erram has been wearing a boot to protect his right foot after it rolled awkwardly during a battle for the rebound against San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo in the third quarter of Game 2.
“Masakit pa eh. Nahihirapan pa kaya ako nakaganito para hindi masyadong ma-irritate kung maglalakad. Kahit ganito, nafo-feel ko pa rin,” he said after Game 3, referring to the boot that he was wearing.
When asked when he will be coming back, the TNT big man said he will try to give it a go in Game 5.
“Siguro by Wednesday, makakalaro na ako,” he said. “Pero hindi pa rin ganun ka-100 percent kasi siyempre ‘yung tapilok ko, hindi naman siya ‘yung normal na tapilok ko lang na pwedeng mapagpag. Maga pa rin siya kasi high ankle sprain siya,” he said.
“Mahirap talaga, tapos may na-tear na ligaments. Natatapak ko siya, pero iika-ika talaga.”
TNT's big problem
With Erram out, the Tropang 5G's big man rotation got shallower with only Kelly Williams, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Henry Galinato Jr. taking turns in defending Fajardo, the eight-time MVP who had a conference-high 33 points and 11 rebounds, as the TNT trio had to fight through foul trouble.
Despite the defeat, Erram kept his belief in his ball club, as they had a chance to win Game 3 despite their predicament, if not for missed free throws and open shots they failed to convert.
READ: Chot admits injuries taking their toll on TNT after Game 3 defeat
“Kaya naman eh. We missed 10 free throws. ‘Yung buong game, nakalamang sila nang malaki tapos na-try namin humabol. Pero kung hindi kami nag-miss ng 10 free throws, dikit lang ‘yun talaga,” he said.
“Then down the stretch, ‘yung ring, ayaw. Ang dami naming clear shot kaso hindi pumasok. We had the chance. They (San Miguel) capitalized. They made every basket.”
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