AT least for a night, mercurial TNT big man JP Erram was one of the team’s inspirations, not a distraction.
After playing a crucial role in Game 6 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals, Erram said he is seeking professional help to be a better player for the Tropang Giga and a better husband to his wife Jerrylee and their three children on the heels of his father’s death last month.
“I’m seeking help. Para moving forward, hindi lang para sa team, para rin sa pamilya ko, and siyempre sa trabaho ko,” Erram said. “Kasi if I don’t seek help, mahihirapan ako.
“Since noong namatay iyong papa ko, I’ve been really in a hard place. Pero hindi ko kasi siya na-address so now, parang nagbabayad ako roon kasi lalo na sa pressure ngayon, tapos ang daming nangyayari,” he added.
The 6-foot-7 Erram went berserk going to TNT’s dugout in Game 2, fought teammate Glenn Khobuntin in the third tiff, and figured in a verbal tussle against Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes in Game 5.
Erram said he had apologized to the team, the coaching staff, and management.
In the do-or-die Game 6 last Wednesday night, Erram poured 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter as TNT hacked out an 87-83 decision to force a Game 7 tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Amid the deafening boos from the 17,654 fans—mostly Kings supporters—Erram also had eight rebounds, four assists and a block.
“Kailangang bumawi, kailangang manalo,” the former Ateneo center said. “Kasi ayaw namin na ganito lang matatapos ang series, ‘di ba? Kasi alam namin, kaya naman naming manalo and then gusto ko talaga manalo para sa team.
“Kasi nakita niyo naman, sa mga nangyayari, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it: I’ve been a distraction sa team and everybody knows it, alam naman ng lahat ng tao. Gusto ko lang talaga makabawi sa team.”
Erram, 35, vowed to come out a better man—whether the Tropang Giga bag the diadem or not.
“Sa akin lang, kailangan ko talaga ng tulong,” he said. “Hindi ko na sasabihin na, ‘Ah, lalaki ako’ hindi, kailangan ko talaga ng tulong.
“I’ve been in this situation, nakatulong sa akin iyong last. So, ngayon kailangan ko talaga moving forward for my career, if I still wanna play pa, para maliwanagan ulit ako, and then para maging okay din pamilya ko.”
