The last time he played in the PBA was in 2017.
Mac Cardona is a baller. You put the rock in his hands, he’ll find a way to get it through the hoop. He’s a natural like that.
Using his trademark hook shot—which really looks like a teardrop floater from extended range—Cardona became a UAAP legend, leading the De La Salle Green Archers to a title and winning a Finals MVP plum in the process.
When he entered the PBA, he was hooping out as well. He went on to win a championship with the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in 2009 and again copped individual accolades, such as Finals MVP and Best Player of the Conference.
All that being said, Captain Hook is just as well-known for his off-the-court troubles. Arguably the biggest one came in 2016 when he survived a drug overdose after a fight with his ex-girlfriend. He was also arrested once for stabbing his then-girlfriend. There's also a viral video of him fighting with a group of guys outside a club in Taguig.
Because of the controversies, Cardona found it hard to find a roster spot in the PBA. He last played in the league in the 2017 Governors' Cup with the GlobalPort Batang Pier. After that, no team wanted to touch him. He was a huge headache.
On his YouTube channel, Mac Cardona Official, the 41-year-old cager looked back on the downward spiral he went through during one of the toughest times of his life.
“’Yung nawala ako sa PBA, feeling ko wala akong pamilyang uuwian. So, ‘dun nag-start ‘yung depression ko. Parang wala na kong kasama at all,” the five-time PBA All-Star said in the video uploaded last September 28.
“Sa PBA, expiring (contract) pa ko tapos hindi pa ko na-renew. Out of 12 teams, walang kumuha sa’kin kahit isa. ‘Dun nag-start ‘yung anxiety ko rin. Kaya nawala ako sa (tamang) landas. Kung anu-ano na ‘yung iniisip ko, kung sinu-sino na ‘yung nakakasama ko na hindi naman dapat,” he elaborated.
But these days, Cardona appears to have gotten back on his feet. When not getting buckets for the Imus SV Squad in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, he’s with the PBA Motoclub, playing in various exhibition games both locally and overseas.
He’s found a way to bounce back and he's making sure that he shares his story so other players would avoid the mistakes he made.
“Ang lesson dito, bilog talaga ang mundo. Dapat ‘wag natin i-take for granted ang buhay natin. Kung anong mayroon, tayo enjoy-in lang natin. Kapag nagkaroon tayo, dapat i-treasure natin,” Cardona explained.
“Alam ko hindi ako mukha talagang nagdadasal pero malaki ang faith ko kay God. Alam ko na nandiyan siya para sa akin. Alam ko nangyari ‘to lahat kasi may plano siyang maganda para sa’kin,” he continued.
In conclusion, Cardona bared a realization that has helped him refocus his life.
“Ginising niya (God) rin ako. Binalik niya ako kung saan ako nanggaling para ma-realize ko kung ano talaga ‘yung importante. Ang importante talaga is love, happiness tsaka faith sa itaas,” said Cardona.
"Ayoko na magkamali," he added. "I'm a changed man. I'm a new man."
Keep it up, Cap!
(PM)