Friday, February 13, 2009

Marlou Aquino


Name: Marlou Aquino
Jersey Number: 13
Team: Sta. Lucia
Birthdate: 1972-10-07
Birthplace: Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 240 lbs.
Position: Center
Draft(Year): 1996 first overall pick by Ginebra Gin Kings
College/University: Adamson University
Monicker/Nick: The Skyscraper
Player Profile:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Back in 2005, in a game against Ginebra, Marlou Aquino was caught picking his nose and the footage was shown in the widescreen of the Araneta Coliseum.

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