Erram serves suspension vs NorthPort

MANILA, Philippines — TNT has a big void to fill in the paint when it faces unbeaten PBA Commissioner’s Cup co-leader NorthPort today with center Poy Erram set to serve suspension.

Erram was slapped with a one-game ban and P20,000 fine by the Commissioner’s Office for his hit on Eastern’s Glen Yang during the Tropang Giga’s 84-105 conference debut loss last Friday.

“Based sa review ng technical committee, closed fist,” commissioner Willie Marcial told The STAR a day before the TNT-NorthPort clash at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The incident happened at the 7:48 of the first quarter during a jockeying for position. After getting hit on the back, Erram retaliated and upon review, was tossed out on a flagrant foul penalty two infraction.

The Batang Pier are off to three straight wins – their latest being a gutsy 107-103 verdict over Magnolia – to actually match their number of victories in the last Governors’ Cup early in the mid-season conference.

Meanwhile, NLEX (3-1) seeks to make it three in a row in the 7:30 p.m. main game against defending champion San Miguel Beer (1-0).

Notes: Guest team Hong Kong Eastern got a first-hand taste of Metro Manila’s infamous traffic last Friday on their way to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium from their hotel in Quezon City. “This was a big problem. We had our players taped in the bus and resting in the bus because we didn’t fix well the time we needed (to get to the venue). Now we know Manila very well,” Eastern coach Mensur Bajramovic said with a big smile. “Now we’ll make sure we change our time of leaving the hotel to come here.”