MANILA, Philippines—It’s been almost exactly a year since Poy Erram saw action for TNT.

A year later, Erram returned just in time for Tropang Giga in their 101-95 win over Northport in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup at Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.

“We were laughing at the situation because now that I’m back, we have no big man left because they’re injured. When I was gone, they were complete,” said Erram in Filipino with Inquirer Sports.

“Ano, kakabalik ko lang, bugbog na naman agad (So what now, I just came back and I’m going to get beaten right away)?” added the big man in jest.

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“But I guess it’s a blessing in disguise for me. At least, now I know my responsibility in the team and I’m not taking it for granted. I know we have injuries but coach always tells us it’s an opportunity for others and even the new ones.”

Erram returned at a perfect time for coach Chot Reyes, who’s handling a TNT lineup without the services of Henry Galinato, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams, who are all dealing with injuries.

The returning center proved his worth anew for Tropang Giga with eight points and four rebounds on a monitored 22 minutes of action.

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Erram returned from a year of recovery after suffering a left knee cartilage defect during Gilas Pilipinas’ training camp in Estonia. Later one, he also found issues with his right elbow and lower back that he had to heal.

Now back in action to help TNT defend its PBA Governors’ Cup title, Erram is satisfied with his impact on the Tropang Giga.

“All I was thinking was not not embarrass my team because I’ve been gone for a while. Although I’ve been practicing with them, playing in an actual game is different from practice. There’s more risk there.”

“So far, offensively I did good and defensively, I played well.”