PBA: 'Kuya' Mac Cardona on younger NLEX teammates: 'Parang magkakapatid kami'

 

Mac Cardona scored 25 points on Wednesday to propel the NLEX Road Warriors past fan favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 97-81, in the elimination round of the 2015 Philippine Cup.

 

Cardona, who is turning 33 this year, brought out his game to lead younger players by example, saying it is high time he realized his role as a veteran on the team.

 

"Hindi na ako 'yung iga-guide," he said. "Ako na 'yung parang kuya nila. Kung tawagin na nga ako sa practice Kuya Mac."

 

Like most people, Cardona finds the idea of being older awkward but brushed it off in favor of the pride of being an older brother.

 

"Parang nakakatanda na pero at least 'di ba masarap 'yung feeling na may mga kapatid kang bata," he said.

 

Cardona started to recognize his responsibility to share his experience with younger teammates like Harold Arboleda and Jong Baloria and welcomed the duty with open arms.

 

"Parang magkakapatid kami dito. 'Yun ang na-feel ko dito sa team namin sa NLEX kaya siguro nagsho-show din sa game."

 

Coming into the game against the Gin Kings squad paced by twin towers Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter, the team pulled off the upset.

 

"Nag-usap nga kami after namin matalo sa Talk 'N Text. Nung last two games, nagbibigay kami ng 99 points per game," Cardona said.

 

"Sabi ni Coach (Boyet Fernandez) sobrang dami nun. So baliktarin naman natin, mag-focus naman tayo sa depensa ngayon."

 

The Road Warriors switched to zone defense to stop Ginebra's momentum before turning the game around down the stretch. KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos also stepped up for the NLEX, responding to Cardona's stellar performance.

 

"Nagawa namin tonight against Ginebra. Nalimit namin sila ng 81. 'Yun ang target namin e, 80 lang, mga ganun," Cardona said. "'Yung defense namin nag-click." — JST, GMA News