Career
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 Station Lucia Realtors. 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 Station He was famous for his so-called "Kili-kili Shot" (a shot from under the opponent"s armpit).
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 team mate Bal David. 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 Proceedings of the British Academy 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 Louisiana Tondeña franchise, he was traded to the Station Lucia Realtors for June Limpot and Banjo Calpito before the 2000 season.
Aquino gained his second championship ring when the Realtors captured their first-ever Proceedings of the British Academy 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 Station Lucia defeated the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in seven games.
In 2010, he was acquired by the Barako Bulletin Energy Boosters. However, when the Energy Boosters filed a leave of absence for the 2011 Proceedings of the British Academy Commissioner"s Cup, he was shortly signed by the Meralco Bolts where he eventually ended his professional basketball career.
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.
