Erram always ready to play his heart out for Gilas
Published on July 19, 2022

Poy Erram made his debut with the team back in 2018 during the Asian Games. In the quarterfinals of that tournament, he dove for a loose ball, hit his face on the floor, and cracked his front teeth.

The venue of that game, the Hall Basketball Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia is now the practice venue of the team for the FIBA Asia Cup 2022.

“One thing lang yung naaalala ko, against Korea, I think everybody knows kung ano nangyari sa akin noon. Pag-dive ko sa bola, doon sa area na ‘yun, tumama yung mukha ko,” he recalled pointing to the area where it happened. 

The four teeth he lost trying to save the possession for Gilas was worth it for the big man. 

“Pero wearing the jersey in front of me, hindi ko na inisip ano mangyayari. I want to win for my team and hustle lang, kahit na disgra-disgrasya na,” he said. “Pero at least we gave our all. Everyone on that team, talagang ginawa namin ang makakaya namin.”

Poy has proven in all his games that he is quick to get the ball. But he is even quicker when answering the call for the country.

“Yes agad. Automatic yes agad,” he explained when he received the request to play for Gilas once again. “I’m blessed everytime they ask me, kung available ako sa Gilas Pilipinas. Kung ano yung ginagawa ko, iniiwanan ko ‘yun para maglaro para sa Pilipinas.”

Poy brings additional size to this Gilas team with Geo Chiu and Kevin Quiambao as the other two big men in the lineup. Beyond his height and skills, he also brings experience and a wealth of knowledge that he’s willing to pass on to this young team. His understanding of the game, especially on the defensive end was evident in all the games during the group stage.

“Masaya sila kasama kasi may natutunan sila sa akin, nakikinig sila sa akin,” he shared. “Ganun din, meron akong bagong natutunan sa kanila, kasi yung generation nila, magagaling na talaga sila lahat. Ako, personally, kailangan ko pa mag-improve day-in, day-out. Sila coming out of college ‘yung iba, first year pa lang, nasa Gilas na yung experience nila.”

Poy always takes the opportunity to play for the country as a learning experience, the same way he did back in his first stint with the team in 2018. He’s always ready to lay it all on the line for the team. He’s ready to give his size, skills, knowledge, and if needed again, his front teeth.

“Play your hearts out, kahit anong mangyaring masama,” he boldly stated. “Ang sa akin naman, wala naman ‘yun, kung anong pwede mangyari sa akin, kasi I know in my ability na kaya ko maglaro, kaya kong mag-compete sa kahit saang stage.”