Poy Erram sees bright future ahead for Gilas Pilipinas with Kai Sotto, AJ Edu

As he announced his retirement from the national team, Poy Erram is beaming with confidence that the future of Gilas Pilipinas is bright with the duo of youthful big men Kai Sotto and AJ Edu tipped to lead the Philippines in the future.

Erram recently announced that he is closing his journey with the nationals which came on the heels of a knee procedure he had to undergo earlier this month. He sustained the injury during Gilas Pilipinas' training camp in Europe in July.

The surgery, which will sideline him for six to eight months, ultimately ruled him out of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Still, the 34-year-old bruiser said Gilas won't have a shortage in front court power with the 7-foot-3 Sotto and the 6-foot-10 Edu manning the paint.

"With the age na 34, I had so many injuries na rin eh, so I don't think na it's an option pa na mag-stay pa. I decided na 'wag na rin kasi marami namang players na mas deserving sa akin lalo na ngayon," Erram told GMA News Online in an interview.

(With my age at 34, I already had many injuries, so I don't think staying with the national team is an option. I also came to this decision because there are more deserving players, especially now.)

Gilas is still being led by seasoned big men in six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and multi-titled player Japeth Aguilar, who both have proven in the past that they can steer the national team.

Erram added that the 21-year-old Sotto and 23-year-old Edu could be the successors of Fajardo and Aguilar.

"Sila na rin 'yung after ni June Mar and Japeth. Sila na 'yung magiging mainstay I'm sure and for sure sila na talaga," Erram added.

"Maganda 'yung future ng Gilas basketball kasi magiging mentors din nila si June Mar and si Japeth. Malaking bagay na they play internationally so alam nila 'yung competition outside sa PBA."

(Kai and AJ will hold the fort after June Mar and Japeth. Gilas has a bright future because the two players will also be mentored by June Mar and Japeth. It is a big thing that they play internationally so they know the competition outside of the PBA.)

—JKC, GMA Integrated News