Being a basketball player is certainly one of the most physically demanding job in the world. Not only do you need to last for the entire duration of the game, you need to also keep your body in great condition during the numerous practices and preparation.
It is therefore very inspiring to see basketball players that continue to defy father time as they play the game they love. Likewise, it is very heartening to watch your childhoold idols still play toe to toe with the young players.
Thanks to the upstart Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), a lot of retired Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players are bringing their careers back to life as they now compete in MPBL which was founded by Senator and Boxing Champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao back in 2018.
Let’s take a look at these oldies but still goodies basketball player.
1. Marlou Aquino
Marlou Aquino is perhaps the most popular among the PBA legends who are now strutting their stuff in the MPBL.
Born on October 7, 1972, Marlou Aquino will turn 47 years old this 2019. But despite being old by basketball standards, he proved his doubters wrong when he debuted with the Bulacan Kuyas of the MPBL in its first season back in January 2018. He subsequently transferred to the Bacoor Strikes in the second season and still actively playing with the same team as a backup point guard.
Famously known as the “Skyscraper”, Marlou made a mark in the MPBL not only by winning individual award but by gaining championships for his team.
Marlou Aquino who stands at 6’9 was so dominant when he entered the league in 1996. In his rookie year, his impact was immediately felt after he bagged both the Rookie of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year Awards. With his stellar performance as a Rookie, he was also made part of the Mythical Five selection in the same year.
Just to have an idea as to how dominant Marlou Aquino was, he was the league leader in the following statistical categories during his first year in the PBA: points, blocks, offensive rebounds, and free-throws made.
He carried over his brilliance in his second year. He won his first championship in his sophomore year in the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup wherein he was also honored as Finals MVP that time. Likewise, in his second year, he was also selected as a member of the Mythical first team for the second time.
Continuing his colorful career, he went on to win two more championships in the Governor’s cup of 2001 and the Philippine Cup of the 2007-2008 season of the league. He then retired in the PBA after a brief stint with the Meralco Bolts in 2011.
But around seven (7) years thereafter, he resurrected his basketball career via the MPBL. He signed up for the maiden season of the said league with the Bulacan Kuyas and then played the next two seasons with the Bacoor City Strikers.
As fate would have it, Marlou Aquino made history when he shared the same court at the same game with his 22-year old son Matthew Aquino during a historic game last 06 August 2019 in a wing against the Rizal Golden Coolers. The younger Aquino recently graduated from the National University where he played as one of the towering centers of the UAAP during his stint in the said college league. He hopes to polish his game further in the MPBL in preparation for the PBA draft where he can continue the legacy of his father.
2. Nic Belasco
Another experienced player who is making the most out of his remaining playing years in life is the ageless Nic Belasco. Belasco will turn 46 years old this coming December 2019 but he is logging in considerable minutes of playing time. In fact, he earned the Best Player of the Game citation in one of his team’s home game.
But before playing in the MPBL, Belasco made a name first in the PBA. He started his basketball career in 1997 when he was drafted second overall by the Sunkist Orange Juice team which was eventually renamed as Coca-Cola Tigers. He was then traded to the San Miguel Beermen in 1999 where he won six (6) of his eight (8) championships as a dominant big man until he transferred to the Welcoat Dragons in 2006.
Listed as versatile 6’6 forward, Nic Belasco remains a serviceable big man in the MPBL. He is currently logging in serviceable minutes to help Jeric Teng, Rob Manalang, and the rest of the young core of the Pasig Sta Lucia Realtors in their quest to win a championship trophy for Pasig.
Perhaps his best game so far this season is the one against the Paranaque Patriots last August 10, 2019 when he uncorked 12 points, three (3) rebounds, and an assist to notch the best player of the game award on top of their sweet victory.
3. Francisco Adriano
Francisco Adriano and Nic Belasco were teammates when they both played with the San Miguel Beermen, a team which won several championships more than a decade ago.
Kiko Adriano started his basketball career with the Pasig Pirates of the now defunt Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) from 1998 to 2001. He was subsequently drafted into the PBA by the Sta. Lucia Realtors where he played from 2001 to 2004. It is with the Sta. Lucia Realtors where he got a first taste of a championship crown.
After his stint with Sta. Lucia, he was then traded by the Realtors to the San Miguel Beermen where he teamed up with Nic Belasco to win more PBA championships with the Beermen. Unfortunately, Adriano’s championship run didn’t last long as he was traded to the Red Bull Barako Team as part of the Larry Fonacier trade package back in 2005. He played three (3) more years with the Barakos until 2008.
He re-emerged into the basketball scene back in 2010 to 2011 when he competed for the Satria Muda Britama Indonesia in the ASEAN Basketball League. A year later, he again played in the ABL with the Air Asia Philippine Patriots from 2010 to 2011.
Already at 44 years old this coming September 24, 2019, Adriano continues to dey father time as he is actively playing of the Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors who are making a strong run into the playoff rounds of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
4. Chris Calaguio
The Pasig Realtors and Bacoor Strikers are not the only teams in the MPBL that are mixing veterans with a young core. Just a stone-throw away from Pasig, the Marikina Shoemasters have signed the services of 43-year old veteran Chris Calaguio who.
Calaguio was a collegiate star of the Colegio San Juan De Letran Knights during his playing years in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). After college, he played for the San Juan Knights in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) from 1999 to 2001.
He later on joined the 2002 PBA draft where he was selected as the fourth (4th) pick overall by the Shell Turbo Chargers. He stayed with the Turbo Chargers for three (3) years until he was traded by Shell to the San Miguel Beermen in 2005. The trade turned out to be a blessing for Calaguio as he won a championship with the Beermen in the 2009 PBA Fiesta Cup, his first and last championship as he last played in the PBA a year later in 2010.
Calaguio is back in the basketball scene as part of the Marikina Shoemasters. Unfortunately for him, his team is currently struggling and out of sync as they remained in the bottom of the North Division.
The veteran players are hardcourt mentors for the youngbloods
While the MPBL is fast becoming a retirement haven for experienced basketball players who are in the twilight years of their careers, their presence will surely benefit the young cagers who are dreaming of making it big someday in the professional leagues.
For one, the veterans will readily be playing mentors for the kids. Most of these veterans have decades of experience playing not just in the PBA but in other professional leagues as well. It also helps in the home stretch if you have experienced veterans who can steady the ship amidst the pressure.
These are just some of the intangibles that these veterans bring in the MPBL while they can still play and run. It’s also win-win situation for the MPBL as some of these veterans who made a name in the PBA attracts attention.
We hope to see them and the MPBL play for more years to come.
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