'Di ko naman sinasabi kina coach na gamitin ako, ganito, ganyan. Siyempre alam din naman nila na malala injury ko, so ako 'di naman ako nagde-demand ng minutes -- JP Erram

Nine months removed from action after sustaining a right ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear, returning Blackwater big man JP Erram saw action Wednesday but in limited minutes.

Just enough to give his knee a go.

He logged in six minutes and 29 seconds of play, went scoreless but was able to pull a rebound, snatch a steal and swat a shot in the Elite’s sorry, 113-124, loss to San Miguel Beermen in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.   

“Medyo off pa eh,” he said. “Siyempre kakabalik ko lang, kaka-practice ko lang sa team siguro mga five days ago. So medyo nangangapa pa ng konti.”

“Walang pinagbago sa system eh,” Erram added. “’Yung mga teammates ko tinutulungan din naman ako maka-adjust.”

The former Ateneo de Manila star was sidelined after a bad fall during Blackwater’s match against Talk ‘N Text Katropa in last year’s Governor’s Cup.

His return was a welcome news for a team that had a woeful run in the tournament.    

Obviously rusty after missing all his three attempts, Erram was just happy he was able to get some playing time.

“Fully healed naman na siya (right ACL, MCL). Pero 'di pa siya pwede basta-basta [ilaro agad], so paunti-unti,” he said. “'Di ko naman sinasabi kina coach na gamitin ako, ganito, ganyan. Siyempre alam din naman nila na malala injury ko, so ako 'di naman ako nagde-demand ng minutes.”

“Kung sa tingin nila na ganito lang muna ‘yung kaya ko, ganun lang. Kahit paunti-unting minutes, OK lang sa akin,” Erram added.

The Elite closed the mis-season tournament with a forgettable 2-9 win-loss record.

Still, Erram hoped for a better showing for the team in the Governors’ Cup with the possible return of other injured Elite players Mac Belo and Art Dela Cruz.

“We'll take it one game at a time. From there, we'll see kung ano mangyayari,” he said. “Kasi siyempre 'di rin naman basta-basta na babalik ‘yung mga injured. Siyempre maga-adjust pa rin sila. Lalo ako maga-adjust pa 'ko. Sana maganda maipakita ng team.”

 

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