NARDS Pinto already knew that he will once again be the butt of jokes after he was named as a part of the cast for the 2024 PBA All-Star Game in Bacolod.
"Maba-bash na naman ako nito eh," he said in jest.
But rather than be affected with the doubters who question his right to be part of the midseason spectacle, the Ginebra guard chose to rather express his gratitude to those who voted him in.
"Alam naman natin yung fanbase ng Ginebra. Nangyayari naman ito kahit saang liga eh," he said.
Pinto: There are more deserving players
"Di ko goal na mapunta dito. Di ko sinasabi na ayoko, pero sinasabi ko maraming deserving sa spot na ito tulad last year. Pero wala eh, yung Ginebra fanbase grabe sumuporta kaya sobrang swerte naming players na kahit sino sinusuportahan nila and alam naman natin pag Ginebra player ka, talagang susuportahan ka nila."
Pinto finished 21st in the fan voting to earn his place in the All-Star Game, his second time to be included in the esteemed list.
He was the seventh Gin King in the fan polls which included stars like Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, Jamie Malonzo, Stanley Pringle, and Maverick Ahanmisi.
Pinto had wanted to beg off
Truth be told, Pinto was already begging off from participating as the festivities in Bacolod will coincide with his son’s first communion.
“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 di pwede Kasi binoto ka ng tao,” he said.
“Di 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. Sobrang na-appreciate ko yung suporta nila, kahit anong game kahit naglalaro ako o hindi. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman na grabe talaga yung suporta dito sa Ginebra.”
With his place in Team Barroca already set, Pinto is just looking to maximize in his second All-Star selection.
“Lahat naman tayo gusto natin na every time na gagamitin tayo, may gusto tayong patunayan. Lalo na sa team ko dito sa Ginebra, di ka pwedeng di ka mag-perform. So ganoon din sa All-Star, dapat mo ipakita na deserve mo yung spot na ito at gusto ko lang makatulong sa team,” he said.
But Pinto reiterates that making the All-Star is the least of his concerns.
“Ang goal ko naman talaga is to help the team win the championship. Di ako para sa All-Star.”
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