WHEN Glenn Khobuntin knocked down a clutch three in overtime of Game 7 of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup finals, Poy Erram gave him a big hug on his way back to the bench.
It was one of the enduring scenes of TNT's 87-83 victory vs. Barangay Ginebra.
READ: TNT outlasts Ginebra in Game 7 classic to win back-to-back titles
About a month earlier, it was the total opposite when Khobuntin and Erram were seen arguing during Game 3 of the semifinals against Rain or Shine.
Khobuntin was pacifying Erram from complaining to the referees when the latter, all of a sudden, was shouting sweet nothings to while also shoving the latter.
Shortly after the verbal spat that was seen in public, however, Erram and Khobuntin patched things up.
Looking back on the incident, Erram said Khobuntin is the definition of a true friend.
“Sabi ko, ‘Maraming salamat kasi hindi mo ako iniwan sa taas. Hindi mo ako iniwan sa ere,’” he said in an interview with reporters after Game 7.
“Kahit na anong sinasabi ng tao sa akin na magkaaway tayo, ganyan-ganyan, which is hindi naman totoo, nagpasalamat ako kasi nandiyan siya.”
Coincidentally, Erram and Khobuntin proved to be key players in the final two games of the series that the Tropang Giga won.
In Game 6, Erram had 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to lift TNT to an 87-83 win over the Gin Kings, the final score of which became similar to that of Friday’s winner-take-all match.
Erram shared that even after the incident, Khobuntin was even the one who told him not to mind the critics that were saying things about the two of them.
“Nagpasalamat ako kasi kahit anong negative na sabihin sa akin ng tao, siya pa ‘yung tumutulong sa akin, nagsasabi sa akin na wag kang maniwala, kahit na anong i-paint na picture nila na nagkaaway kami ni Glenn, never kami magkaaway. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, tunay kaming magkaibigan,” said Erram.
Erram said he is proud of his 'true friend' for his effort in Game 7, where Khobuntin contributed 14 points, including a three in the 2:22 mark of overtime to give TNT an 85-79 lead.
“Thankful ako sa kanya. Lagi ko nga sinasabi sa kanya, every time na makaka-shoot siya, mabuti na lang matigas ang ulo mo kanina, matapang ka,” said Erram.
“Kahit anong mangyari, eto na ang series eh, Game 7, patapos na, alangan namang bibitaw ka pa. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, maraming salamat naging matigas ulo mo at matapang ka,” said Erram.
Glenn agrees
For Khobuntin, the feeling is mutual.
“Sobrang proud ako kay Poy. Sobrang crucial ni Poy. Naiintindihan naman namin si Poy sa circle namin. Alam namin ang sitwayson ni Poy. Isipin mo lumabas ‘yung game niya sa Game 6 at sa Game 7. Proud ako kay Poy na nalagpasan niya ‘yun,” said Khobuntin.
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.
