TNT Loses Defensive Anchor Poy Erram Ahead of Crucial Game 3 vs. San Miguel

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by Cristian Andal

TNT's Poy Erram (7) gets assistance from his teammates going to the dugout. Photo: Rappler.

The TNT Tropang Giga will be without one of their key veterans as they head into a pivotal Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Friday night against the San Miguel Beermen.

Poy Erram, TNT’s defensive stalwart and former Defensive Player of the Year, has been officially ruled out due to a right ankle injury he sustained during Game 2. Medical tests revealed a minor ligament tear in his ankle, although X-rays thankfully confirmed there’s no fracture. Still, the injury is serious enough to sideline the 36-year-old big man at a critical juncture of the series, which is currently tied at 1-1.

"Pero wala namang fracture," Erram clarified Friday morning, trying to remain optimistic despite the setback. Unfortunately, he has been placed in a protective boot and is unable to put weight on the injured ankle, leaving his status for Game 4 on Sunday uncertain.

Erram went down early in the second half of Game 2 after contesting a shot from San Miguel star June Mar Fajardo. The fall was awkward and immediately alarming. He clutched his ankle in pain and had to be assisted off the court by teammates. At that point, he had already made a noticeable impact, tallying six points, two rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in just 15 minutes of action.

His early exit proved costly for TNT. San Miguel capitalized on the defensive void and rallied for a 98-92 comeback win to level the series. With Erram out, the Tropang Giga struggled to contain the Beermen’s inside attack, particularly the dominance of Fajardo in the paint.

Now facing a red-hot San Miguel squad hungry for another title—and potentially a Grand Slam run—TNT must find a way to plug the gaping hole left by Erram’s absence. His presence has been pivotal not just for rim protection but also for orchestrating the team’s defensive schemes and providing veteran leadership on the floor.

Head coach Jojo Lastimosa and the rest of the TNT staff will be forced to dig deep into their rotation. Big men like Kelly Williams and Justin Chua are expected to shoulder heavier loads, while forwards like JP Erram and Dave Marcelo may see increased minutes.

Photo: Rappler.

As Game 3 tips off at 7:30 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, all eyes will be on how TNT adjusts—and whether they can rally around each other to reclaim the series lead. With Erram’s status for the remainder of the series still up in the air, the Tropang Giga’s championship hopes could hinge on their ability to adapt and rise in adversity.