Pinto holds the door for Blackwater, named PBA week's best

MANILA, Philippines – John Nard Pinto continues to play a steady role as Blackwater’s lead playmaker in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup.

In fact, the former Arellano University court general splendidly in the Elite’s hot start for the conference that saw Blackwater beat NorthPort and defending champion Barangay Ginebra, respectively, this past week to get off to a franchse-best 4-0 start.

Pinto averaged all-around numbers of 11.5 points, 9.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals en route to earning the nod for the Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for September 17-23.

The 19th overall pick of NorthPort in 2014 had eight points, seven rebounds, 13 assists and two steals during Blackwater’s 113-111 win over NorthPort last September 19. His booming triple late in the game gave Blackwater, a 111-105 lead, which was enough cushion to weather the Batang Pier’s rally in the end.

Two days later, Pinto’s steady playmaking and timely sniping helped the Elite complete a shock 124-118 overtime win over the Kings.

The stocky Blackwater guard finished with 15 points, going six-of-10 from the field, while issuing six assists, three steals and two blocks in 38 minutes of action.

Pinto currently averages personal-best stats line of 12.5 points, 7.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds, numbers, which he hopes will help sustain the Elite’s campaign to earn a twice-to-beat incentive heading into the playoffs.

Blackwater will be shooting for a fifth straight win come Wednesday when it faces NLEX at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.