MANILA – Veteran guard Nard John Pinto was grateful to the supporters of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings for making his second consecutive PBA All-Star Game stint possible.
The former Arellano University Chiefs guard was voted by fans to be part of the 2024 PBA All-Star Game slated to take place on March 24 at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.
“Maba-bash na naman ako nito eh,” Pinto said on his PBA All-Star inclusion. “Hindi ko goal na mapunta dito. Hindi ko sinasabi na ayoko, pero sinasabi ko maraming deserving sa spot na ito tulad last year.”
“Pero wala eh, ‘yung Ginebra fan base grabe sumuporta kaya sobrang swerte naming players (ng Ginebra) na kahit sino sinusuportahan nila and alam naman natin pag-Ginebra player ka, talagang susuportahan ka nila,” he added.
Pinto was the seventh Gin King in the fan polls which included stars like Japeth Aguilar, Earl Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, Stanley Pringle, and Maverick Ahanmisi.
Pinto also stated that he approached PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial to possibly beg off from participating since the event will coincide with a family event, but the latter rejected it.
“Sa totoo lang, nagpaalam na ako kay Kume [Willie Marcial] kasi first communion ng anak ko. Sabi ko baka pwedeng mag-pass, pero sabi ni Kume hindi pwede kasi binoto ka ng tao,” Pinto said.
“Hindi ko rin naman sinasabing ayaw ko kasi sobrang ungrateful ko naman sa mga bumoto sa akin. Pero sobrang naa-appreciate ko lang sila lahat lalo na yung Pinto Nation,” he added.
Pinto, who averaged 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup, stated that making the PBA All-Star team is the least of his concern as a professional player.
“Ang goal ko naman talaga is to help the team win the championship. Hindi ako para sa All-Star,” Pinto said. “Lahat naman tayo gusto natin na every time gagamitin tayo, may gusto tayong patunayan. Lalo na sa Ginebra, hindi ka pwedeng hindi ka mag-perform.”/PN
