NARD Pinto credited Henry Walker for the boost as he made the go-ahead basket in Blackwater’s slim win over NorthPort.
Pinto revealed that Walker helped him focus in the nerve-racking endgame, which allowed him to make up for misses earlier in the fourth on Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“Na-miss ko ‘yung two free throws ko tapos ‘yung early shot ko na lay-up. Sa time-out, parang in-ano ako ni Henry na be wise sa ginagawa mo kasi crucial. Sabi niya, after ng time out, ready to shoot ka. Buti na lang, naka-shoot ako, naka-bawi ako,” said Pinto.
Pinto hit a three-point shot with 31 seconds left that allowed the Elite to grab a 111-105 lead.
It was a game to remember for Pinto not only for the big endgame shot, as he registered a career-high 13 assists as the Elite posted their best start in franchise history at 3-0.
“Siguro as a point guard, isa sa role ko sa Blackwater, gusto ko lang maging pogi ‘yung mga teammates ko. ‘Yun ang sinasabi ng mga coaches eh. Dapat maging pogi ‘yung mga teammates ko,” said Pinto.
Pinto said the hardwork in the offseason as well as the early entry of Walker in the team has been paying dividends for the team.
“Siguro deserve naman namin. ‘Yung offseason, hindi kami nag-break. Pumunta kami ng ibang bansa para maglaro doon para makuha namin ‘yung chemistry,” said Pinto.
“Malaking bagay si Henry. Last year, hindi siya nakapagsimula. Malaking bagay si Henry. Leader kasi siya. Sa practice, ineencourage niya kami. Sinasabi niya, pinapakita niya na mag-trabaho kami sa depensa,” said Pinto.
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