Player of the Week: Pinto’s all-around play helps Elite sustain perfect form

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

After a slow start to his PBA career, John Pinto is finally making his mark as Blackwater’s chief playmaker in the 2018 PBA Governors Cup where he’s having a breakout stint.

Pinto had his best two-game stretch as a member of the Elite the past week, helping his team stay undefeated after impressive victories over the NorthPort Batang Pier and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.

The 27-year-old Pinto, who was drafted in the second round by the Batang Pier in 2014, did it all, averaging 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 2.5 steals the past couple of games to garner the Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week.

He collected eight points, seven rebounds, 13 assists and two steals and hit the game-clinching triple in a 113-111 comeback win over NorthPort on Wednesday.

Pinto followed up his clutch performance with an encore of 15 points, six assists, three steals and two blocks in a 124-118 victory over the Gin Kings in overtime.

The Elite have emerged as the surprise leaders this conference with a 4-0 record.