Amateur Career
With the intent of using his basketball skills as a passport to a good college education, he walked in for a tryout with the De La Salle University Green Archers basketball team.
Despite several controversies and allegations, primarily regarding his residency and eligibility, Cardona went on to win the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Rookie of the Year award with the Green Archers in 2001. Cardona was also part of the UAAP 67th season Mythical Five and was named the Finals Most Valuable Player for the same season.
Cardona played for ICTSI-La Salle in the Philippine Basketball League from 2002–2005, where he was awarded top rookie honors as PBL Top Newcomer. After ICTSI's departure from the league, Cardona joined Harbour Centre in the 2005 PBL Unity Cup, where he was named MVP of the conference.
During his stint at the PBL, he was consistently named to the Mythical Team and also received recognition as the league's Scoring Sensation.
Read more about this topic: Mark Cardona
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