Marlou Aquino

Marlou Bucao Aquino (born October 7, 1972 in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, Philippines) is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for Bacoor City Strikers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). During his prime he was known by fans as "The Skyscraper" and was, along with Dennis Espino, one-half of the so-called "Twin Towers" of the now-disbanded Sta. Lucia Realtors.

Marlou Aquino
Aquino in 2014
Bacoor City Strikers
PositionCenter
LeagueMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
Personal information
Born (1972-10-07) October 7, 1972
Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
CollegeAdamson University
PBA draft1996 Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Ginebra San Miguel
Playing career1996–present
PositionCenter
Career history
1996–2000Ginebra San Miguel / Gordon's Gin Boars / Barangay Ginebra Kings
2000–2011Sta. Lucia Realtors / Meralco Bolts
2016–2017Bureau of Customs Transformers
2017–2018Bulacan Kuyas
2018–presentBacoor City Strikers
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's Basketball
Head coach for  Philippines
Asian Games
1998 Bangkok Team

Collegiate career

Although born in the province of Pangasinan, Marlou Aquino made an impact as a player in Metro Manila as he played for the Adamson Falcons in the UAAP. Marlou played in the Philippine Basketball League for the Sta. Lucia Realtors (before it joined the PBA) and Stag Pale Pilsen, and won a record-setting four PBL Most Valuable Player of the Year awards. He was famous for his so-called "Kili-kili Shot" (a shot from under the opponent's armpit).

Professional career

Philippine Basketball Association

In 1996, he made an impact in the Philippine basketball scene. He was drafted by the Ginebra San Miguel as the first overall pick. Expectations were high for Aquino and he became a starting player in his rookie year in a team headed by Robert Jaworski.

After showing strength in performance and leading the Kings to the All-Filipino finals, he earned the nickname, "The Skyscraper" and was tag as David and Goliath with his tandem point guard teammate Bal David. At the end of the season, Marlou Aquino became the first Ginebra player since Dondon Ampalayo in 1986 to win the Rookie of the Year award. He finished the season averaging 17.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assist, 2.8 blocks in 40.7 minutes per contest.[1]

In his second season, he continued his role as one of the dominant centers in the league when he took the Gordon's Gin Boars to a championship, winning the 1997 PBA Commissioner's Cup. Aquino finished the season averaging 17.9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 64 games. After two solid seasons with the La Tondeña franchise, he was traded to the Sta. Lucia Realtors for Jun Limpot and Banjo Calpito before the 2000 season.

Aquino gained his second championship ring when the Realtors captured their first-ever PBA title in 2001 by beating the San Miguel Beermen in the Governor’s Cup.

In the 2007–2008 season, he claimed his third championship during the season's Philippine Cup when Sta. Lucia defeated the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in seven games.

In 2010, he was acquired by the Barako Bull Energy Boosters. However, when the Energy Boosters filed a leave of absence for the 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup, he was shortly signed by the Meralco Bolts where he eventually ended his professional basketball career.

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

Aquino returned to competitive basketball after leaving the PBA. He debuted for the Bulacan Kuyas at the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in February 2018.[2]

For the league's second conference (Datu Cup) which kicked off on June 12, 2018, Marlou transferred to the Bacoor City Strikers.

Player profile

Aquino was a big star in the PBL for Nikon and Stag Pale Pilsen but was involved in a controversial scandal in terms of his academic status with Adamson University. After the scandal, he jumped to the pros and made big waves upon his arrival.

Aquino, known to his variety of hook shots and under-goal stab, remained a strong shot-blocker in the middle and rebounder throughout his career, making him one of the premiere centers in Philippine basketball. He was also a two-time Philippine national team member.

Awards and records

References
  1. Salazar, Syd (October 24, 2011). "20 Best Rookie Seasons in the PBA (played in 2003 - present)". Sydrified.org. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  2. Jacinto, Christian (10 February 2018). "Aquino, David not the only ex-PBA cagers giving hoops career one last shot in MPBL. See List". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
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