TNT center Poy Erram during Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals against Ginebra.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—TNT center Poy Erram drew the lion’s share of jeers from a predominantly Ginebra crowd in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
In the middle of another intense clash between rivals, chants of “iyakin” (crybaby) rained down on Erram, whose Tropang Giga suffered a 106-92 beating at the hands of the Gin Kings.
Erram, however, couldn’t care any less. In fact, he even expected to be the brunt of insults.
READ: PBA Finals: Ginebra dominates TNT in Game 4 to tie series
“To make it simple, I expected it and I don’t really care,” said Erram.
“I can’t control what they say about me, right? That’s okay as long as none of my family members get involved.”
Erram struggled in Game 4, tallying just three points and a rebound in 21 minutes of action.
Being booed and jeered by Ginebra fans is nothing new to Erram. It also happened in last season’s Governors’ Cup Finals in Game 3 where a fan shouted unsavory remarks at Erram that involved his mother.
READ: PBA: Poy Erram turns emotional after fans hurl insults at his mother
“I don’t mind being insulted by fans. I have no problem with that,” an emotional Erram told reporters in Filipino after Game 3 of last year’s finals. “Just don’t insult my parents, my kids or my wife, because if they do, it’s a different story.”
Crybaby chants don’t bother Erram, who has found a way to deal with them.
“Of course, that’s normal wherever you play, it really does happen. For me, I expected it, my teammates knew it was a possibility and I also know my importance with the team,” he said.
“If I’m not inside [mentally] with them, we’ll have a hard time. I never mind it. Like my wife said, imaginary earplugs.”