MANILA – TNT Tropang 5G center John Paul Erram confirmed that he will miss the remainder of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after being diagnosed with a meniscus tear in his knee.
Erram, who sustained the injury during TNT’s 105-91 Game 4 loss to San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, shared that he had been playing through pain but eventually had to undergo an MRI, which revealed the extent of the damage. He is expected to be sidelined for three to four months.
“Wala eh, hindi talaga kakayanin, nagkaroon ako ng MRI (on Wednesday), nagkaroon ng meniscal tear ‘yung leg ko,” Erram said.
“So ngayon wala nang pag-asa (na makabalik sa finals), kailangan ko ng surgery. Sabi nung doctor namin baka umabot ng three to four months, namamaga siya, hirap nga ako maglakad,” he added.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout and Gilas Pilipinas center said his injury worsened during Game 4
“‘Yung feeling ko nung last game, parang gumalaw talaga ‘yung tuhod ko eh. Siyempre nakagamot ako eh, hindi ko ramdam. Nung next day, nandun na,” Erram said.
Though his campaign is officially over, Erram said he will continue to support his teammates during the remainder of the best-of-seven title series.
“Manonood ako ng finals, ‘yun na lang ang magagawa ko eh—to support them, ‘yung mga players, ganun na lang talaga, para kahit papaano makatulong sa team,” he said.
“Part talaga ng trabaho ‘yun eh. Once you step on the court, ma y risk. Hindi mo naman masabi na sinadya o aksidente eh,” he concluded.
Even with Erram’s absence, the Tropang 5G scored an 86-78 Game 5 victory over the Beermen to trim the best-of-seven series deficit to 2-3./PN
