TNT remained unfazed by internal tension following Poy Erram’s heated exchange with teammate Glenn Khobuntin, keeping their focus on their goal of reaching the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Erram Takes Responsibility for Outburst
Despite the intense moment, Erram acknowledged his mistake and emphasized the importance of staying accountable.
“In that moment, I was not thinking about the team. I was thinking of myself,” he admitted after Tropang Giga’s 93-85 victory over Rain or Shine, which pushed them closer to securing a Finals berth.
TNT has a chance to close out the series in Game 5 on Friday at 5 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum, potentially setting up another championship battle against Barangay Ginebra.
TNT Overcomes Challenges
The Tropang Giga have faced a rollercoaster of emotions in the series, dealing with Jayson Castro’s season-ending knee injury in Game 2, followed by Erram and Khobuntin’s shouting match.
However, coach Chot Reyes downplayed the incident, stating that the team chose not to dwell on it between their Game 3 loss and Game 4 victory.
“We didn’t even discuss the incident,” Reyes said, adding that it was simply a “matter of passion” and that Erram and Khobuntin quickly resolved the issue.
Social Media Buzz and Erram’s Response
Erram’s outburst went viral on social media, with basketball pages and fans using the incident as content for memes and criticism.
But for Erram, the focus remains on their goal.
“There’s no need for us to make a big deal out of it,” he said. “Because our main focus is to win the series, go to the Finals, and maybe win a championship.”
Key Performances Propel TNT to the Brink of the Finals
TNT’s Game 4 win was fueled by stellar performances from Calvin Oftana (26 points) and RR Pogoy (22 points), who carried the offensive load.
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson contributed 17 points, including a crucial assist to Kim Aurin, who knocked down a three-pointer to seal the win at 89-81 in the final minute.
With an average winning margin of just 4.8 points in the series, TNT has had to fight hard for every victory.
If they close out Rain or Shine in Game 5, the Tropang Giga could find themselves in another championship showdown, potentially against Ginebra, who will try to finish off NorthPort in the 7:30 p.m. game.
