Nards Pinto did not foresee that his first PBA Finals trip with Ginebra would pit him against the very same team he called home for three years.
The seasoned playmaker is bound to collide with his ex-club Meralco as the Gin Kings and the Bolts square off once again for 2022 Governors’ Cup supremacy, beginning on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
It is a rivalry that the 31-year-old has been very much a part of, but he admitted feeling weird this time around since he’s now on the other side.
“Hindi e. Pero siyempre, alam mo naman, ito naman talaga lagi,” said Pinto Monday.
“Kahit nung nandun pa ko, Meralco-Ginebra na e. Pero ‘yun ‘yung nangyari. Weird kasi, ‘di ba, galing ako doon, tapos ngayon Finals.”
Fate really works in mysterious ways, as others would say. And Pinto now finds himself aiming for his first PBA title versus his former team, where he finally experienced vying for a title for the first time back in 2019.
Photo by PBA Images
The Arellano product became a Bolt via trade in the same year, a relationship that ended last February when he left and signed a three-year deal with Ginebra, taking full advantage of the league’s new ruling on free agency.
It would’ve been ideal for Meralco if he stayed put since he’s become a key piece to the rotation. But the 19th overall pick said that the ties he and his teammates built there remain firm even to this day.
He’s actually happy that Meralco made it to the Finals, which it accomplished by beating Magnolia in a best-of-five series that went the distance.
“Matagal ko rin nakasama ‘yung mga players dun e,” said Pinto. “Siyempre, parang pamilya din sila, kasi nagtuturingan kaming ganon dun sa Meralco noon, nung nandun ako.
“Happy ako para sa kanila dahil may chance sila.”
That familiarity he has with the Bolts, though, could be a double-edged sword in the best-of-seven series, according to Pinto.
“Siyempre sa tagal namin nagkasama .., kasi araw-araw kami nagpapraktis, siyempre kilala ko na sila, kilala na rin nila ako. Siguro disadvantage and advantage yun para sa amin, na kilala namin yung isa’t-isa,” he offered.
Nonetheless, Pinto couldn’t wait to return to the Finals once more, eager to experience what it’s like being a champion.
“Gagawin ko ‘yung best ko kung anong maitutulong ko sa team, kung anong ibibigay sa’kin na trabaho ni Coach Tim,” he said.
“Gagawin ko ‘yung best ko para makatulong talaga sa team at makakuha ako ng championship.”
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