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 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".
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. 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. For the league's second conference 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.
