There are two things Mac Cardona is pretty good at: 1. Making semi-hook shots and 2. Making controversial remarks.
In a recent vlog of the PBA Motoclub, Cardona, Jayjay Helterbrand, Rico Maierhofer, and Jerwin Gaco got into talking about the current state of the PBA, particularly the perennial bottom-dwellers in the league.
Helterbrand said some squads in the PBA have no intention of winning, although he stopped short of naming them.
"They've been at the bottom every year, and they're not doing anything to improve. They're trading away their best players. It's obvious (they don't want to win)," said the former PBA MVP, noting that some teams just want to promote their brands.
He also echoed the view of many fans regarding the matter.
"'Yung mga nasa bottom, nagiging farm team," said Helterbrand, who retired from the PBA in 2017.
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But while the former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel star was a little discrete, Cardona was the total opposite. The outspoken guard was more direct with his comment.
"Sabi nga ni Gary David, nag-uusap kami, simula nung pumasok 'yung dalawang team na 'yon, Black Tubig tsaka 'yang Kia, nagkaleche-leche na 'yung buhay ng PBA players. Bumaba 'yung value ng players. Bakit? Kukuha na lang ako ng mas bata na mura kaysa matanda na mahal. Puwede kong utuin," said Captain Hook.
He got even more specific with former PBA guard LA Revilla as an example.
"Ito si LA Revilla, magkano suweldo niyan dati? 30K. May libre pang naglalaro dun dati, nalaman ko. PBA, libre. Meron! Ayoko na mag-mention ng name. Nakausap ko 'yan si Revilla. Gusto niyo real talk? 'Yan, real talk," claimed Cardona.
The former PBA Finals MVP also claimed that he was given a similar monthly salary during his brief stint with the GlobalPort Batang Pier in 2017.
"Ako nga sinuwelduhan ako ng Global, 30K. 'Yun lang suweldo ko. Real talk," said Cardona, although he admitted that he was coming from an injury at that time. "Nakapaglaro ako four games. So magkano 'yun? 30K divided by four. Naglaro ako dun three months. Maganda pa nilalaro ko."
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Just to be clear, those are merely Cardona's claims. It would be imprudent to consider them as gospel truth right away. It sure was an interesting story though, with fans also reacting to it on social media.
As of 2019, the reported minimum salary in the PBA is P70,000. A practice player, meanwhile, could receive P30,000.