Poy Erram admits struggle amid trade dilemma, finds solace in family
Poy Erram during the 2020 PBA Media Day at Okada Manila. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO
MANILA, Philippines—It’s a trade scenario that has taken far too long for comfort.
Poy Erram hasn’t been left unsettled since news broke that he’ll be dealt to TNT in a three-team trade with his current club NLEX and former franchise Blackwater.
The trade that will supposedly ship Erram to MVP Group’s flagship team was filed on February 17 but with no resolution yet more than a week after, the big man admitted it’s been a struggle.
“For me, it’s really difficult because the season is about to start and I haven’t practice that much because I’m on the trading block but as much as possible I’m still going to NLEX because that’d be unfair for my teammates,” said Erram said in Filipino during PBA Media Day Thursday at Okada Manila.
“Yes I’m in the trading block but it’s bad for me to go to the other teams because my contract is still with NLEX.”
Playing and training with Gilas in the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers did help Erram block out the distraction surrounding his trade dilemma but it’s in his home that he finds the calm.
Erram said having daily life conversations with his wife Jerry and playing with his three-month-old baby Aliyah are the two things he been looking forward too every time he ends his duty on the basketball court.
“When I see my baby, everything that I’ve been thinking regarding the trade completely disappears and when my wife and I talk we rarely talk about basketball,” said Erram. “We talk about typical household stuff and that in itself has really helped me. My family really helps me a lot.”
“When I get home, I get to play with my baby, we bond and just seeing her smile takes away all my problems. When I’m with her, I make sure that I cherish every moment of it because kids won’t be kids forever and I’m just enjoying this time when she’s growing up.”
