BY WAYLON GALVEZ
The drama over the fate of NLEX’s Poy Erram is now over as the
5-man PBA trade committee finally approved the deal that sent the vastly-improving center to the TNT KaTropa.
The trade encountered problem with the trade committee, but after TNT made several revisions, the league finally gave the green light in a deal that also involved Blackwater.
A source, who refused to be identified, revealed that the 6-foot-9 Erram will go first to Blackwater in exchange for Anthony Semerad and center Rabeh Al Hussaini plus the team’s first round pick this year and a second round pick in 2021.
Blackwater will then ship Erram to TNT for three players mot its choice — in point guard Ed Daquioag, forward Marion Magat and center Yousef Taha plus two future first round picks.
“The last revised proposal was two days ago, a day before the PBA’s Media Day,” said the source, adding the addition of Al-Hussaini turned out to be the clincher.
Erram, who was still with NLEX during the Media Day, rejoins a TNT squad that selected him 15th overall (second round) during the 2013 PBA Rookie Draft.
The Elite obtained Erram’s services in 2014 when Blackwater joined the PBA via the Expansion Draft.
Erram blossomed as one of the top defensive players, winning the PBA’s Press Corps’ Defensive Player of the Year award in 2018 and was selected to the Gilas Team several times.
Erram joined NLEX in 2018 as part of a deal with Blackwater.
NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao, apparently, was not in favor of the trade since he’ll be losing his top center.
However, he recently mentioned that “it’s not at my level” in reference to the trade between managements both under the umbrella of telecommunication mogul Manny V. Pangilinan.
Guiao was not available for comment at posting time.
