RYAN Araña is glad that Mac Cardona has proven him right in the former’s decision to vouch for his college teammate to be a part of GlobalPort.
Cardona has made a PBA comeback after signing a short-term contract with the Batang Pier after being away for months due to a family problem that led to a suicide attempt.
Cardona’s dark days hardly dampened Arana’s faith in his La Salle teammate as far as his basketball skills are concerned.
“Syempre masaya ako na nakabalik siya kasi ako rin yung parang first na nagsabi ka kay coach na pwede pa si Mac,” Arana said after the team’s 101-88 loss to Alaska on Friday night. “At sabi ni Mac na talagang gusto niya bumalik para sa mga anak niya.”
[See Abueva, Henton spark late blitz as Alaska turns back GlobalPort]
In just his second game back, Cardona already saw himself in the starting lineup and he repaid coach Franz Pumaren’s faith by tallying 12 points after making all but one of his six shots, including two treys, along with two boards, and two assists in more than 21 minutes of play.
And Arana was hardly surprised of Cardona’s performance in stepping up in the absence of Stanley Pringle and the limited presence of injured Terrence Romeo.
“Hindi naman ako na-surprise kasi si Macmac, Captain Hook talaga eh, scorer talaga. Kahit anong gawin mo, scorer talaga,” Arana said. “Siguro mas magiging effective pa siya pag maibalik pa niya yung timing niya sa court at yung jelling sa teammates.”
“Ito na yung break na hinihintay niya para maiwas siya sa mga masamang gawain before,” he added. “Sana lang magtuloy lang yung ginagawa niyang ganyan.”
[See GlobalPort not rushing return of grieving Stanley Pringle]
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