TNT KaTropa center John Paul “JP” Erram suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone he sustained after crashing to the floor in Game Four of their best-of-seven semifinals series with San Miguel Beer last Sunday.
“Suspected fractured cheekbone. More tests to be done today,” TNT Coach Chot Reyes messaged BusinessMirror on Monday.
Erram accidentally fell face first after a rebound battle with San Miguel Beer’s Moala Tautuaa, also 6-foot-8 like the former Ateneo Blue Eagle, two and a half minutes gone in the second quarter.
He was rushed to the Mount Carmel Hospital which was the closest medical facility to the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Without Erram, TNT yielded to San Miguel Beer’s dominating frontline of six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Tautuaa and Arwind Santos, and lost, 116-90, to see the series tied at 2-2.
Kelly Williams, according to Reyes, remains a doubtful starter for Game Five.
“Not sure about both [Erram and Williams].”But we will never give up, we will fight,” said Reyes said, who’ll be relying heavily on 6-foot-5 Dave Marcelo, 6-foot-7 Troy Rosario and bench player 6-foot-5 Chris Javier.