Do I have your attention now?

Return of the Hook

Mac Cardona.

UAAP champion. PBA champion. Scorer. Closer. Swagger. Villain.

Back on the game's bigger (biggest would be the Finals, which isn't that far off the way things are going) stage after a year and a half wallowing with the young Meralco Bolts franchise, Cardona finds himself basking in a chorus of boos and jeers yet again.

As it should be.



Cardona will never, really, be cheered for-- other than those coming from his friends, family, employers and whoever's name is etched on the front of his jersey. He'll never try to showboat and pull out "KABOOM!" moves for the pleasure of fans. He plays the game for himself, to win, at all costs, and unmindful of what others may think of him.

We've seen this before. He did it against Ginebra and opposite Mark Caguioa. He didn't shrink ala the so-called "Big Game" or "El Granadas." You'll never see this guy throwing his arms up in defeat (he usually just bows his head and curses at the world) or play with little to no passion. He's all in, the type of player PBA fans could easily connect and identify with. The kind who isn't about flops or drama-- just straight up, play-your-heart-out balling.

People have often confused Cardona with Ronald Tubid-- both players being able to draw the attention of the crowd and ire of opponents. Difference is, on a good day, Tubid is still nowhere near Cardona's scoring caliber. That, plus Tubid (although a solid one-on-one defender) is the recognized King of Flops (Pennisi's awesome flop weeks back was probably from all the practices he's had with Tubid).

But let's make it clear- when the lights are its brightest, the fans jeering with venom of hatred, that's where Cardona shines most. He's used to it. Being with the champion DLSU basketball program-- Cardona was pretty much the poster boy for swag. Hated by Ateneans. Hated by everyone outside of the Green and White.

Mico Halili asked Jolly Escobar in last night's AKTV Center which player Cardona reminded him of from the good old days. Escobar pointed out to an enforcer, Rudy Distrito, but only because of the fact that fans hated him whenever he's on the court.

In reality however, there's no one like Cardona. The great Sonny Jaworski was just as nasty (my uncles would share stories about Jawo's younger days, his suspension from playing basketball because of fights and dirty plays), but because of his great charisma, PR skills and solid basketball IQ, he won the fans over.

Same with Cardona. He might be hated now, but the respect is undeniable. Fans know what to expect of him. Other players may fizzle out, but from what we've all seen from Cardona, he's not one to make excuses. Always looking to score (buwaya mode at times) but always in there to win. No questions asked.

The hook shot, which evolved into a spin-hook- unstoppable then as it is now. The sneer. The over zealous celebratory antics.

All Cardona, all unapologetic.