dᵻspˈaɪt sˈɛvɹəl kˈɑːntɹəvˌɜːsiz ænd ˌælɪɡˈeɪʃənz, pɹaɪmˈɛɹᵻli ɹᵻɡˈɑːɹdɪŋ hɪz ɹˈɛzᵻdənsi ænd ˌɛlɪdʒəbˈɪlᵻɾi, kɑːɹdˈoʊnə wɛnt ˌɔn tə wˈɪn ðə jˌuːnɪvˈɜːsᵻɾi æθlˈɛɾɪk ɐsˌoʊsɪˈeɪʃən ʌvðə fˈɪlᵻpˌiːnz ɹˈʊki ʌvðə jˈɪɹ ɐwˈɔːɹd wɪððə ɡɹˈiːn ˈɑːɹtʃɚz ɪn tˈuː θˈaʊzənd wˈʌn.
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.