MANILA – Despite being aware since last week that they were about to bid their farewell to John Paul Erram, the NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) are still saddened when the trade to the Talk N’ Text KaTropa was approved by the PBA Commissioner’s Office.
The Road Warriors were at their pep rally at the NLEX Compound near the Balintawak Toll Plaza – still with Erram – when the news of the approved trade broke on Feb. 28.
“Kabigan pa rin natin si Poy. Pero pag nag-champion na tayo, wala na siyang bonus galing sa atin,” announced Road Warriors head coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao even if it is still evident that he is saddened with the unwanted trade.
Guiao has made the public know that he does not want to part ways with the six-foot-seven Erram, but bidding goodbye with the Gilas Pilipinas center was “not at his level” as the Road Warriors’ general manager.
“Nakatikim na rin (ng mura) sa akin si Poy,” Guiao added. “But he always took it positively. Nagtrabaho siya, nagpalakas siya ng katawan to show me he was not only listening to the criticism, but he was ready to take on the challenge.”
For his part, Ilonggo guard Kiefer Ravena was also unhappy with the departure of the former Ateneo Blue Eagles teammate, but he sees a consolation in the arrival of veterans Anthony Semerad and Rabeh Al-Hussaini.
“It’s sad because we’ve been playing well in the off season and Poy is a big reason why,” said Ravena. “But that’s the business side of the PBA. We’ve been preparing really hard for the Philippine Cup because we’re all hungry.”
“I’m sure the coaches will be working hard to prepare us for what our team would be without Poy and we also got good players back in Tony Semerad and Rabeh Al-Hussaini, so we’re still excited for the Philippine Cup,” he added.
Erram, who was a huge part of NLEX’s successful campaign in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup, where they finished first after the elimination round, is thankful to learn and play under Guiao in his one-year stint with the team.
“I’m thankful to coach Yeng because he gave me the opportunity. Hindi naman ako makakasali ng Gilas kung hindi dahil sa kanya, and masaya rin ako na nakapaglaro ako under him dito sa NLEX,” Erram said.
“Although malungkot, right now, iniisip ko na lang na I should be happy because there’s another team that sees my value and I’ll do my best para tulungan sila,” he added./PN
