NARDS Pinto and Henry Walker were quick to shrug off the exchange of words they had early in Blackwater’s 103-100 win over San Miguel Beer on Wednesday night.
The incident occurred in the first quarter of the PBA Governors Cup after Pinto watched the ball go by him, resulting in a steal by SMB guard Alex Cabagnot.
Walker wasted no time berating Pinto for lack of effort, leading to a shouting match.
But they patched things up just as quick and connived together in the endgame to help the Elite complete the come-from-behind win.
Pinto, who finished with 15 points while going 3-of-4 from three-point range to go with nine rebounds, and seven assists, said such verbal sparring between him and the former NBA player are nothing out of th ordinary.
“Araw-araw kahit sa practice ginaganun ako nun. Araw-araw akong kinukulit. Ang mali ko lang kanina nadala ako,” said a smiling Pinto.
“Lagi niya naman akong ini-encourage kasi gusto niya lang akong i-push,” he said of Walker, who has been a great influence in the Blackwater dugout.
The 30-year-old Walker said he’s been hard on Pinto since he knows how good the stocky guard can be once focused.
“I’m on Nards everyday cause I see the type of player he can be and that’s it. I don’t want him to come out there and do a disservice to himself and not be at his best,” said the all-around import.
“When he’s out there and he’s playing, he’s attacking, he’s aggressive, its’ a whole different team. And in order for us to be successful, he’s gotta be heading the attack,” added Walker. “I don’t expect anything less than that and I’m going to be on him like he would be on me the same way – that’s the type of relationship we have.”
Pinto said they later apologized to each other.
“Pagtapos nun, nag-sorry siya, nag-sorry din ako,” he said.
“Bro I just want you to be at your best,” Walker told Pinto. “You’re playing against one of the best point guards (Alex Cabagnot) in the PBA. He can’t get on the floor and you not get on the floor. He’s a champion. You see what I’m saying?.”
After they made up, Pinto and Walker went on and scored 10 of Blackwater’s last 14 points to clinch the team’s second straight win and deal the Beermen the stunning loss.
“At the end, we hugged it out after we had miscommunication, came back together, cause the only goal is to win,” said Walker.
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