PBA: Khobuntin says spat with teammate Poy Erram just ‘friendly fire’

TNT teammates Poy Erram and Glenn Khobuntin coming to blows during Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –JONAS TERRADO/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—TNT center Poy Erram and teammate Glenn Khobuntin became the center of attention for Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals for all the wrong reasons.

In the last 18 seconds of the second quarter, Erram was called for a technical foul for continuously complaining on a non-call when the Tropang Giga trailed the Elasto Painters, 49-43.

The big man was being pacified by the coaching staff when Khobuntin stepped in to help calm down his fellow TNT key cog.

READ: PBA: Rain or Shine cuts into TNT semifinals lead with Game 3 win

Erram didn’t take kindly to Khobuntin’s actions and went on to shove and the scene escalated into shouting match between two teammates.

Khobuntin, though, shrugged off the situation and downplayed the altercation.

“It was nothing. We just had high emotions because we played badly,” said the National University product after their 103-98 loss to Rain or Shine at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

“That was just a friendly fire moment so it’s nothing. I’ve known Poy for so long so it’s nothing. We’re only human, sometimes we can’t control our emotions.”

READ; PBA Finals: Poy Erram unbothered by ‘iyakin’ chants from Ginebra …

Erram couldn’t seem to get back his stride, only finishing with 10 points and four rebounds in the loss. Khobuntin, on the other hand, scored two points with five rebounds to make up for it but it just wasn’t enough in the end.

Khobuntin also clarified that him shouting back at Erram was just bred from their hunger to win.

“He wasn’t getting foul calls. He felt that he was being held a lot and the referees didn’t see that so his emotions were everywhere,” he said.

Erram respectfully begged off from airing his side.

TNT has three days to recuperate before shooting for a 3-1 lead on Wednesday for Game 4 at the same venue.