Poy Erram Pushes Through Pain in Game 4, Suffers Hamstring Tear While Battling Ankle Injury

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by Raymund Tamayo

Poy Erram hurts his right leg in the third quarter of Game 4 of the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Finals. Photo: One Sports YouTube.

TNT big man Poy Erram gave everything he had in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, even if his body was clearly telling him otherwise.

Coming off a high ankle sprain that forced him to sit out Game 3, Erram suited up on Sunday hoping to give the struggling Tropang 5G a boost in their backs-against-the-wall clash against San Miguel. Unfortunately, the decision came at a cost. Midway through the game, Erram revealed he tore his hamstring—likely a result of overcompensating for his injured ankle.

The 91–105 loss not only pushed TNT to the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven series (now down 1–3), but also added another layer of injury trouble to an already banged-up squad.

Erram logged 18 minutes and 31 seconds, finishing with six points, four rebounds, and a block—numbers that hardly reflect the internal struggle he faced on the court. San Miguel, led by a dominant June Mar Fajardo, took full advantage and widened their grip on the series.

In hindsight, Erram acknowledged that forcing himself to play might have done more harm than good.

“Maybe I shouldn't have pushed it,” Erram said in Filipino during an interview. “I just really wanted to help out. We were running out of bodies.”

That determination, however, came at a heavy price. “Worse, I tore my hamstring during the game,” he revealed.

Erram had initially hoped to provide frontline support for Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. He took painkillers to numb the ankle, which, ironically, he said he couldn’t even feel during the game. “I even felt dizzy from the meds. My hamstring hurts now, but my ankle was completely numb. I’ll probably feel it all when I wake up tomorrow.”

Despite the setbacks, Erram isn’t waving the white flag. He’s determined to find a way to play in Game 5 at the Araneta Coliseum, though he admits it all depends on the condition of his leg.

“No choice,” said the gritty TNT center. “I’ll rest and get it checked. Right now, I can’t feel the hamstring, but I’ll know soon.”

If healthy, Erram would’ve been a crucial defensive presence against June Mar Fajardo, who just claimed his record-setting 12th Best Player of the Conference award and continues to be nearly unstoppable in the paint.

For now, Erram's heart and fighting spirit are carrying him where his body no longer can—a testament to the sacrifice he's willing to make for his team’s fading Grand Slam hopes.