As Mac Cardona laced his shoes at the dugout of the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, he knew that he was home. Far from the glitz and glamour of the coliseums he used to play in, Cardona just wanted to get his life back one small step at a time.
Prior to his first game with the Zark’s Jawbreakers Tuesday afternoon, Cardona last played a PBA-sanctioned game last April 15, 2016. The 6-foot swing man then figured into the “darkside” of being in the limelight for so long.
“Nawala yung love for the game, nawalan ako ng gana, nawala passion ko,” the 11-year PBA veteran lamented.
“Gusto ko ayusin yung sarili ko. Gusto ko bumalik sa basketball para maayos ko yung buhay ko uli.”
Last August, Cardona hit rock-bottom. After an alledged squable with his partner, the five-time All-Star was rushed to the emergency room after an apparent drug overdose.
“Nagkamali ako sa buhay,” the 35-year old reflected. “I made a lot of mistakes.
“God gave me a second life para ayusin ko sarili ko, para makabawi sa mga pagkakamali ko.”
Though pro teams have shown little interest to pick up the 2007 Fiesta Cup Best Player of the Conference, one team decided to give him a shot, PBA D-League team Zark’s Burgers.
“Kinontak ako ng Zark’s kung available pa ako. Sabi ko, ‘Sige! Why not?’
“Sabi ko mas gusto ko nga muna sa D-League para makuha ko yung timing ko e. Sabi nila maliit suweldo pero sabi ko kahit libre okay lang basta makuha ko lang timing ko muli,” he furthered.
Though Marinerong Pilipino gave his team a 45-point slapping, Cardona showed semblance that he can still keep up, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in his 23 minutes of play for the Jawbreakers. More importantly, he was able to find his passion back.
“Parang feeling ko young uli ako kasi kalaban ko mga bata,” he shared as young guns Pao Javelona and Dave Moralde guarded him. “Na-feefeel ko nga respeto nila sa akin.
“As a kuya di nila ako masyado pinipisikal. Tingin ko kaya ko pa siguro!”
A return to the PBA might be bleak but Cardona knows that he is on the right track if he hopes to get noticed.
“Alam ko madaming mga players ngayon sa PBA, stepping stone ko ito para makabalik ako dun,” he said.
“Di pa naman too late.”
