Former PBA player Mark “MacMac” Cardona drew flak for making light of the drowning tragedy that left two Ateneans dead in a video himself wading through floodwaters.
The basketball personality posted a video on Monday, August 17, showing himself swimming in the flooded portion of Gregorio Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.
Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon experienced heavy rains that day due to the southwest monsoon (habagat), which turned streets and roads into rivers amid the persistent downpour.
“Coach Tab, dapat dito kayo nag-aqua training. Hahaha, joke lang, Coach Tab, for content only, hahahaha,” he reportedly wrote in a social media post.
Mark was referring to Tab Baldwin, the former Ateneo Blue Eagles Men’s Basketball Team head coach who initiated a team-building activity in Aurora during which 18-year-old Rene Baterbonia and 21-year-old Nigerian import Divine Adili drowned on June 8.
The two were participating in a water-based exercise when huge waves swept them into the open sea, causing them to drown.
Rene was recognized as the “Most Valuable Player” at the Palarong Pambansa 2025, while Divine was a key player on Ateneo’s defense team in UAAP Season 88.
Meanwhile, Mark’s video did not sit well with some Filipinos who called him out for making light of the tragedy. Among those who criticized the joke was journalist and “Go Hard Girls” podcast founder Ceej Tantengco-Malolos.
“Nobody expects decent behavior from Mac Cardona at this point, but making jokes about the Ateneo basketball tragedy is a new low,” she said in an Instagram post.
“And before any of his fans come at me with ‘but he’s already retired, leave him alone’ — he’s not retired, he was even promoted to assistant coach in the MPBL,” Ceej added, referring to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
“No script for this one, just pure female rage. I’m so tired,” she continued.
Ceej also pointed to Mark’s previous appearances in the news over allegations of violence against women.
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Other Filipinos who saw Mark’s video also expressed their disappointment over its content.
“Character deterioration instead of development. More than a decade na nakalipas, puro bad news na lang nakikita ko about him,” an Instagram user commented.
“Sooo distasteful!!! Wth,” another wrote.
“Absolutely horrendous behavior,” a different Pinoy commented.
In another post, Mark apologized to Tab for making the joke.
“I’m so sorry, Coach Tab! Dapat hindi ako nagbibiro ng ganun,” he wrote.
Earlier this year, Mark was arrested in Taguig City over alleged sexual harassment and physical assault.
The former De La Salle Green Archer athlete was also arrested in 2018 for allegedly stabbing his former live-in partner following a heated argument.
Mark was known for his stint in the PBA, where he earned the nickname “The Captain.” He last played in the league in 2016.
