TNT Coach Chot Reyes and Poy Erram in fiery clash during Game 5: What it means for the PBA finals

Dubai: In a dramatic twist during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on March 23, TNT Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes found himself in the middle of a fiery confrontation with player Poy Erram. The clash, which unfolded with 7:28 left in the third quarter of TNT’s 73-66 loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, has left fans and analysts questioning the team's internal chemistry ahead of the pivotal Finals games.

The tension boiled over after Reyes made a comment that visibly upset Erram. In a rare moment of visible frustration, Erram tossed his towel to the floor, prompting a heated verbal exchange between the two. Reyes, clearly agitated, walked away from the huddle, leaving Erram standing in defiance.

"I’m just fed up with all the antics," Reyes later admitted, signaling his growing frustration with the team’s dynamics. His words paint a picture of the tension that might be simmering beneath the surface as TNT battles for the championship.

The incident has sparked a wave of debate among fans, with some even calling Erram the "crying big baby" due to his tendency to complain and show visible emotion on the court. His critics have pointed out that his constant displays of frustration could be adding unnecessary drama to the team’s already high-stress situation.

While the altercation was intense, it raises larger questions about TNT’s morale and whether such internal discord could derail their Finals aspirations. With the series tied and the pressure mounting, all eyes will be on how the team rallies—or fractures—going into the crucial games ahead. Will they put aside the drama, or will this clash signal deeper issues that could affect their performance on the court? The answer could very well decide the outcome of the Finals.

A Ginebra fan Cristomo Valondo, based in Dubai, offers his perspective on how this incident could impact the team moving forward.

Valondo believes the confrontation is simply a product of the high-pressure environment of the Finals. “It’s all the heat and the pressure of the moment talking,” he says. “As a professional basketball player and a coach, this should pass. They have a championship to focus on. It’s all part of a long and grueling series.”

When asked whether the public display of disagreement could affect the team’s performance, Valondo is optimistic: “Sure, they will be able to move forward. It’s constructive and timely, as the series is not yet over.”

As for Coach Reyes' admission that he’s “fed up with all the antics,” some have wondered if this signals deeper issues within the TNT roster. Valondo dismisses this notion, saying, “I don’t think so, it is what it is. That’s just how Erram is. With the championship on the line, Coach Reyes just needs to call it out because such antics could cost them the title.”

Another basketball fan, Jong Acena, Filipino expat based in Dubai, expresses frustration with Erram’s behavior, argues that his actions were unacceptable, suggesting that Erram should have been suspended for his outburst during Game 3. “His attitude reeks of insubordination and disrespect to the coach,” the fan says, and that a clear line should exist between players and coaches. "There’s a reason why Reyes is paid to coach, and Erram is paid to play."

The exchange has sparked debate on whether it's ever acceptable for a player to challenge or shout at their coach in the middle of a game. As frustrations mount within TNT, Acena believes that no matter the pressure, players should not resort to childish tantrums or openly defy authority.

While it’s clear that the TNT squad is under immense pressure, the incident raises serious questions about team dynamics and the role of discipline in a championship chase. Will this behavior be a one-off, or does it point to deeper issues within the team? Only time will tell.