Marlou Aquino
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Position | Center |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Weight | 240 lb (110 kg) |
| League | Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) |
| Team | Sta. Lucia Realtors |
| Born | October 7, 1972 Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, Philippines |
| Nationality | Philippines |
| College | Adamson University |
| Draft | 1st overall, 1996 Gordon's Gin Boars |
| Pro career | 1996–present |
| Awards | Rookie of the Year (1996), 2-time PBA Mythical First Team (1996, 1997), 1-time PBA Mythical Second Team (2003), PBA Governor's Cup Best Player of the Conference (1996) |
Marlou B. Aquino (born on October 7, 1972 in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, Philippines) is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Sta. Lucia Realtors. Known by his monicker The Skyscraper, he is also known, along with Dennis Espino, as one-half of the so-called Twin Towers of the Realtors.
Contents |
[edit] 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 went to the PBA) and Stag Pale Pilsen and he won a record-setting four PBL Most Valuable Player of the Year awards.
[edit] PBA career
In 1996, as 6 ft 9 inches tall Center from the semi-professional Philippine Basketball League, Aquino had made an impact in the Philippine basketball scene. He soon after was drafted by Ginebra San Miguel as the 1st over all pick. Expectations were so high as Aquino started as starting player and an All Star Center to Coach Sonny Jaworski.
However, after showing strong performances and leading the Kings to the All-Filipino finals, he became more popular earning him the monicker, "The Skyscaper". 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 18 Points Per Game and 9.3 Rebounds.
In his second season, he continued his role as one of the dominant centers in the League as he took the Gordon's Gin Boars (formerly Ginebra San Miguel) to its first ever championship, winning the 1997 PBA Commissioner's Cup. Aquino finished the Season averaging 17.9 Points, 9 rebounds and 2.8 Blks in 64 Games. After two solid seasons with the La Tondena franchise, he was traded to the Sta. Lucia Realtors for Jun Limpot and Banjo Calpito before the 2000 season.
[edit] About the player
Scoring-wise, his numbers went down after a solid season in 2003. But time and again, the 6'9" center has proven that he is one of the premiere centers of the PBA. He averaged 12.8 points per game last year, tying his second lowest average in a season, and just 5.7 rebounds per contest but his 1.6 swats per game was No. 2 in the league behind the 1.7 bpg of Ali Peek of Coke. A four-time member of All-Defensive team, the 35-year-old proud son of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan will remain the focal point of Sta. Lucia's defense and once he puts his mind on the game, he can be domineering once more in the league.
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 although it was somewhat neglected when he jumped pro. Aquino showed the promise Ginebra fans expected during the All-Filipino Conference as Ginebra won fourth place that tournament.
[edit] Awards and records
- 4-time PBL Most Valuable Player of the Year
- 1996 PBA Rookie of The Year
- 2-time PBA Mythical First Team Member (1996, 1997)
- 2-time PBA All Defensive Team Member (1996, 1997)
- 1996 PBA Governors Cup Best Player of the Conference
- 2003 PBA Mythical First Team
- Scored a Career High 38 Points in 2007
- Member of the 1994 and 1998 RP National Team
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Jeffrey Cariaso |
Philippine Basketball Association Rookie of the Year award 1996 |
Succeeded by Andy Seigle |
| Preceded by Allan Caidic |
PBA Best Player of the Conference Award - Governor's Cup 1996 |
Succeeded by Alvin Patrimonio |
|
|||||||
