With 2:56 left in the fourth quarter, Ginebra’s Troy Rosario and TNT’s JP "Poy" Erram battled for a loose ball—a 50-50 possession in the heat of what could have been TNT’s swan song. They had a somewhat comfortable two-possession lead, but when Erram signaled for a challenge, TNT’s multi-titled coach Chot Reyes didn’t hesitate. The replay made things clear: not only did Erram touch the ball last, but he also made contact twice before it spiraled out of bounds.
Here’s the fun part—Reyes trusted Erram. And despite their tension throughout the finals, Erram was still on the floor in the dying moments of the game. In the end, it didn’t matter. TNT won Game 6, forcing a manic do-or-die Game 7, and Erram played a key role in swinging the series’ momentum.
At its core, this series has always been about Justin Brownlee vs. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Their scoring numbers might not be as gaudy as past imports, but make no mistake—every ill-advised shot, errant pass, questionable decision, and emotional outburst between them carries weight. Equally important is the chess match between Chot Reyes and Tim Cone. These two, once allies in their Alaska days, have spent years outwitting each other—whether it was Alaska vs. Purefoods, Coca-Cola vs. Alaska, TNT vs. Alaska, or now, Ginebra vs. TNT. And, of course, this is another chapter in the SMC vs. MVP rivalry. While SMC has dominated championships, there’s always intrigue when these two corporate powerhouses clash—because the only way they lose is if they beat themselves.
But amid all this, a spotlight shines on JP Erram. Drafted 15th overall by TNT in 2013, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle had to wait a year to make his PBA debut. Spending his rookie year as a TNT practice player, he was then picked up by Blackwater in the 2014 PBA Expansion Draft. Erram grinded his way up, doubling his production in his second season, eventually averaging a double-double and earning a Mythical Second Team selection before getting "harvested" back into the MVP group. Stints with Gilas Pilipinas followed, and when he landed at TNT via NLEX, it was clear that JP Erram had earned his place.
That said, Erram is volatile—much like Calvin Abueva. Unlike “The Beast,” though, his outbursts don’t get as much attention, largely because he isn’t the team’s main man. But in these finals, his emotions have been well-documented—heated exchanges with Chot Reyes, his friendly fire moment with Glenn Khobuntin, the added pressure of Jayson Castro’s season-ending injury, whatever thing he has with Kerby Raymundo, and even mental health battles that he plans to address after the finals.
Erram's intensity has been both a blessing and a curse for TNT’s championship bid.
And yet, with 33 seconds left in Game 6, he delivered. He made a crucial stop on Brownlee, knocked down three of four free throws, and grabbed a vital defensive rebound while his teammates battled cramps and exhaustion. Reyes played the right strategy, fouling to extend the game—but as Scottie Thompson’s miracle three with 10 seconds left proved, sometimes you just can’t control the breaks of the game.
Then, in a moment of poetic chaos, RHJ missed two free throws with under 10 seconds left—only for Erram to make a high-IQ back tap, giving Hollis-Jefferson another chance to seal the win, 87-83.
And now, TNT fans are left with one question: Which version of JP Erram will show up in Game 7? Will he be the hero that pushes TNT to another championship, or will the pressure get the best of him, paving the way for a Ginebra coronation?