Pinto, a former player of Holy Child of Davao College got the chance to sign with the Kings after his contract with the Bolts recently expired.
The 5-foot-11 guard out of Arellano University is a huge pick for the Kings since he is set to take over the playmaking role after the injury of Stanley Pringle.
Pinto, who was drafted as the 19th overall pick in the 2014 draft is averaging 9.0 points, 5.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in the suspended PBA Governor's Cup.
On December 16, in his last game as a member of the Bolts, he helped his beat Black Water Bossing 98-77.
He scored 18 points and dished out seven assists to carry the Bolts to its initial win at the import-laden conference.
Bolts import Tony Bishop, who came in as a late replacement for former NBA player Shabazz Muhammad, made a great first impression as he tallied a 28-point, 13-rebound double-double with 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 2 steals to boot.
Aside from Pinto, another Davaoeno Alvin Pasaol of Dona Salud, Sasa here also scored six points for the Bolts in their win. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Photo: PBA Images
John Pinto MERALCO 2020 PH CUP Highlights