By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Veteran Poy Erram on Sunday, Aug. 13, announced his retirement from national team duties following a series of injuries that hit him and subsequently prevented him from playing his best for Gilas Pilipinas.
His announcement to end his long and colorful career with the national team after he blossomed into one of versatile big men in the PBA also cut him from the list of aspirants for the Gilas team that will take part in the FIBA World Cup starting Aug. 25.
In a lengthy social media post, the 6-foot-8 Erram, who gained attention during his time at NLEX under then coach Yeng Guiao, thanked the people who helped him in “letting my dreams become a reality.”
“As I close this chapter of my life. Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa lahat ng taong nagtiwala at tumulong sakin,” Erram wrote.
“Just by wearing that jersey, having that name in front, always gives me goosebumps, because not a lot of players have that chance to play and represent the country,” he added.
The pride of Cagayan de Oro said he never turned his back to serving the country, adding: “Every time they ask if I’m available, I always say YES kahit una akong sinabihan or last.”
“Kahit practice player lang, okay lang kasi alam ko makakatulong ako sa team,” he added.
Erram first played for Gilas Pilipinas during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup also in Jakarta.
He was part of the FIBA World Cup training pool, where he joined the team in the European training camp last June that battled teams from Estonia, Finland and Lithuania.
He, however, missed several practices back in Manila after being diagnosed with a hurting knee that could be reportedly up for procedure, making him also miss the mini pocket tournament of Gilas in China.
