Pass the torch: Cardona is no longer The Franchise

Two scorers with so-so D
will always spoil the broth

As much as it pains this writer to come to terms with this sad and undeniable reality, there's just no other way around it. For the Meralco Bolts to continue building on the success that they currently enjoy (breaking into the semifinals after six conferences), they need to shift the offense away from "franchise player" Mac Cardona.

When Team Manny V. Pangilinan bought out the Santa Lucia Realtors, Cardona was immediately sent from mother team Talk 'n' Text Tropang Texters to headline the Bolts. After all, he was the one guy that people either loved or hated with such passion-- someone who magnetized and captivated fans by his sheer passion for the game. That, plus he tends to be an island all to himself-- needing to dominate the basketball which oftentimes alienated teammates and reduced big names such as the mighty Jimmy Alapag to mere spectators.