It had been a crazy week for Nard Pinto.
Last Monday, the Blackwater Elite traded Pinto to the Phoenix Fuel Masters in exchange for guard Gelo Alolino and forward Joseph Eriobu, after he and the Elite reportedly failed to reach an agreement for a new contract.
But that wasn’t his last stop.
Just days after, the Fuel Masters shipped Pinto to Meralco for center Jason Ballesteros and a 2020 second-round draft pick after the stocky guard – just like with Blackwater – and the Bolts did not meet halfway for a deal.
Pinto is now in his third team in just a week, but there are no signs that he will be on the move yet again. He gladly joined the Orangemen in the PBA’s 44th season opening ceremonies, Sunday at the Philippine Arena.
“Ako, wala naman akong magagawa sa part na yan,” Pinto told Tiebreaker Times. “Happy na lang ako na may team na nagtiwala sa’kin tulad ni Meralco.
“Sana maganda yung career ko rito tsaka sana makatulong sa team.”
The Bolts have been known as a guard-heavy team for some time now, with the likes of Baser Amer, Mike Tolomia, and Anjo Caram leading the pack. Given that, Pinto is aware that he will have to work for his spot in the rotation.
“Sa practice gagawin ko lahat para makita ng coaches na deserve ko mabigyan ng oras,” he said.
Still, Pinto made it clear that he no qualms over his minutes, like with Blackwater, where he played an average of 23.0 minutes last season.
“Prepared naman ako diyan. Galing naman ako diyan. Lahat naman ng player galing diyan,” said Pinto, 28. “Konting adjustment lang yan. Ang trabaho ko is to play lang, hindi ko naman trabaho yan na mamilit sa coach.
“Ready lang ako. Gagawin ko lang trabaho ko, kung anong ipapagawa sa’kin.”
