Nards Pinto makes most out of little Game 7 time for 'perfect moment'

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Nards Pinto reacts after scoring a big 3 in Game 7 of the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Third-string guard Nards Pinto isn’t the biggest name in the Barangay Ginebra lineup.

Never been flashy, either, but Pinto gets the job done, showing it in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Wednesday night before a throng of Ginebra faithful.

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Not given much playing time in the series, Pinto provided the big shots down the stretch to help Ginebra beat TNT, 88-76, at Mall of Asia Arena.

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“I just instilled in my mind that I’ll always be open,” Pinto told the Inquirer. “I just made sure to be open. I told myself if I saw myself open, I’ll shoot it.”

Pinto finished with six big points and two rebounds in the decider in a stint only made possible when starting point guard RJ Abarrientos was whistled for a flagrant foul late and had to be sat down for three minutes.

It was a magical entrance.

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TNT had come within 77-74 heading into the final 5:15, before Pinto sank a triple at the 3:04 mark for a six-point buffer the Tropang 5G never came close to overhauling.

Pinto was a big shot-maker that night. One of the many hats he has been required to wear in a PBA career that has now spanned 12 seasons.

“I’ve gotten every role; I’ve been in the first five; only used in the fourth, you name it,” Pinto said. “This is my job and I always have to be ready.

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“Sobrang sarap,” Pinto went on. “There’s no such thing as a perfect game, but this is a perfect moment.”

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