Marlou Aquino

Marlou B. Aquino (born on October 7, 1972 in Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, Philippines) is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who last played for the Meralco Bolts. Known by his moniker The Skyscraper, he is also known, along with Dennis Espino, as one-half of the so-called Twin Towers of the disbanded Sta. Lucia Realtors during his prime.

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 is Famous for his "Kili-Kili Shot"(Opponent's Armpit Shot)

PBA career

In 1996, the 6-9 center quickly made an impact in the Philippine basketball scene. He was soon drafted by the Ginebra San Miguel as the first overall pick. Expectations then were so high for Aquino that he was immediately a starting player in his rookie year in a team headed by Sonny Jaworski.

After showing a strong performance and leading the Kings to the All-Filipino finals, he became more popular earning him the moniker, "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 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 after beating the San Miguel Beermen in the Governor’s Cup.

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

He was acquired by the Barako Bull Energy Boosters. However, he was again signed by the Meralco Bolts after the Energy Boosters filed a leave of absence for the 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

About the player

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, remains a strong shot-blocker in the middle and rebounder throughout his career. Time and again, he has proven that he is one of the premiere centers in the PBA.

He is also a two-time RP Team member.

Awards and records

• 1996 PBA Rookie of the Year
• 1996 PBA All-Defensive Team
• 1997 PBA All-Defensive Team
• 1996 PBA Best Player of the Conference
• 1996 PBA Mythical First Team
• 1997 PBA Mythical First Team
• 2003 PBA Mythical First Team
• Member of the 1994 and 1998 RP National Team
• 4-time PBL Most Valuable Player
• Scored a career high 38 points in 2007
• 2001 Governor's Cup
• 2007-08 Philippine Cup

References

External links

• PBA profile
• PBL profile