Ginebra’s Nard Pinto. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Nard Pinto went from being a PBA title hunter to a winner on Friday night time after Barangay Ginebra defeated his outdated workforce Meralco and repeated as Governors’ Cup champion.
The hard-nosed guard relished his first-ever championship, however couldn’t assist however really feel sorry for his former teammates.
“I’m overjoyed, in fact, I’m perplexed,” he instructed reporters on the heels of a 103-92 Recreation 6 victory inside a packed Mall of Asia Area.
“However there’s additionally a little bit of unhappiness. As I’ve at all times stated, I’m shut (with the gamers at Meralco). However that’s basketball. I’m now right here with Ginebra. I’m simply comfortable and really feel blessed that I used to be in a position to turn into a champion right here at Ginebra.”
Pinto was a part of the Meralco workforce that battled Ginebra within the championship collection again in 2019, the final version of the season-ending event earlier than the pandemic struck. The Bolts misplaced that duel in 5 video games.
He then opted to be a part of the Gin Kings after coming into free company in January of this 12 months, ending nearly three years taking part in for Norman Black and the Bolts.
Pinto has been a two-way presence for the gang darlings on this event. His best efficiency within the title collection was a 10-point, four-rebound, and three-assist job in Recreation 2.
He completed with 5 factors, seven boards, 4 assists, and a steal within the clincher.
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“The timing’s so good. Bear in mind, we have been the sixth (seed) and we crawled our method to right here, to turn into champions,” he stated. “It’s not like gaining the No. 1 seed after which turning into a champion.
“This has been powerful, like scaling a mountain,” he added.
It may very well be recalled that in the course of the collection kickoff, San Miguel Corp. sports activities director Al Francis poke enjoyable at Pinto’s switch to Ginebra, saying he’d ship the guard again to Meralco ought to the Gin Kings botch their title protection.
Pinto was laughing then. He nonetheless was on Friday night time.
“He stated tonight he’s not going to ship me again. You heard it proper?” he stated of Ginebra’s workforce governor.
“He stated it a number of occasions,” he added with a chuckle.
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