WITHOUT their star players, John Pinto makes it a point to work double time for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA on Tour.
The veteran guard was on fire Wednesday when he dropped 22 points in leading the Kings to their first win in the pre-season, 95-89, against Phoenix at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.
Pinto was 9-of-15 from the field and added four rebounds and seven assists as the new-look Kings improved to a 1-2 record.
The playmaker out of Arellano University said the mainstays who were left behind had to make the extra effort to compensate for the absence of key players Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, reigning MVP Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger, and Stanley Pringle.
Aguilar, Malonzo, and Thompson were all named part of the 20-man Gilas Pilipinas training pool for the FIBA World Cup, while Standhardinger and Pringle were both advised by team trainers to just take a needed break in order to have a fresh start for the coming Season 48 of the league.
"Malaking kawalan sa team sila kasi sila naman yung key players dito sa Ginebra," admitted Pinto. "Wala ng tutulong sa amin, kaya kami-kami na lang dahil hindi nga sila maglalaro this (pre-season). Kaya opportunity namin na gamitin itong On Tour para mag-grow yung games namin, mag-improve kami, para pagdating ng regular season makatulong kami sa team."
Along with Pinto, other Ginebra regulars playing in the pre-season are sophomore guard Jeremiah Gray, Aljon Mariano, Jared Dillinger, Von Pessumal, Raymond Aguilar, Jayson David, and Sidney Onwubere.
"Yung mga naiwan sa regular lineup, opportunity namin ito to grow and maipakita namin yung talent namin," said Pinto.
Having finally broke through the win column, the Kings are looking to get even better as the pre-season wears on.
"Yun naman talaga ang main goal namin to better every game," added Pinto. (RG)