By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the most celebrated PBA stars will be marking his return to the league.
Mark “Captain Hook” Cardona, a former PBA champion, Finals Most Valuable Player, Best Player of the Conference and a member of the PBA Mythical First Team, will be making his highly-anticipated return but this time in the 3×3 scene.
Everyone had full smiles and was happy to see Captain Hook when he showed up during the PBA 3×3 Media Day and confirmed he will be a part of the quartet who will represent the Zamboanga Valientes.
Together with JR Cawaling, Kyle Neypes, and Gino Jumao-as, Cardona will be seeking to win the title against the other strong teams who are set to see action in the inaugural season of the league.
“I’m very thankful and blessed that despite everything that happened in my life, I’m still here. I’m really happy to be back in the PBA even if it is just in 3×3,” Cardona said.
Cardona, who last suited up for the GlobalPort franchise last 2017, got caught up in a list of controversies including a stabbing incident that put him in jail.
Four years later, the 40-year-old basketball superstar was arrested once again for the crime of serious physical injuries.
Despite the hardships Cardona went through, Zamboanga Valientes team owner and an old friend of his, Junie Navarro, helped him and put him under his roster for the PBA 3×3.
“Thank you to the Zamboanga Valientes for giving me the opportunity to play here, even if it is only in 3×3. As long as I’m doing something, I’m already happy,” Cardona added.
