‘Marlou Aquino’s son, Matthew, faster than his dad’

MANILA, Philippines – Like his father who went on to have an impressive career in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association), 6-foot-7 prospect Matthew Aquino will suit up for the Adamson Falcons for his collegiate career.

The 17-year-old standout will make his debut on Sunday, July 13, when his team opens its season against the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles at the Araneta Coliseum.

The younger Aquino is two inches shorter than his father, who was both the PBA’s Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in 1996. Nonetheless, he is faster and more of a threat in the open court, according to his head coach, Kenneth Duremdes.

“He’s more of an open court player, spot-up big man. May mga post move, pero ngayon hindi niya nagagawa dahil mahina pa katawan eh,” the new team head coach described the young stud during Monday’s, July 7, UAAP press conference.

(He has some post moves, but he still can’t fully utilize them because his body is still weak) 

“Payat eh,” Duremdes continued. (He’s thin.) 

“But he can run faster than his dad – malayo, mabilis yung bata. Mas mabilis siya.” (He’s fast, much faster than his dad)

Not much has been reported on the second-generation player, but with a towering frame at such a young age, his potential to be an impact big man in the UAAP is high.

Matthew will be aided by his father, who is part of Duremdes’ coaching staff this season.

“When it comes to shot blocking, may ability rin siya for shot blocking,” noted Duremdes, who says the young Aquino is his tallest player in the line-up, which is composed of nine rookies.

(He also has an ability to block shots effectively) 

“Next na malaki namin after Matthew, 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 na. Siya lang talaga yung 6-foot-7 na malaki, hindi pa siya legit center.”

(After Matthew, our next tallest guy is 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4. He’s the only 6-foot-7 guy, and he’s not even a legitimate center.)

When asked whether Aquino could start for the team this year, Duremdes said it’s a possibility, but explained that an injury to the young big man temporarily halted his training during the offseason.

“He can start, pero yun nga nang yari nakapahinga siya for two weeks na kasi nagkaroon siya nang injury. Pero hindi naman grabe, so pinahinga namin siya for two weeks.”

(He can start, but he suffered an injury for two weeks. But it wasn’t severe, so we just made him sit for two weeks)

Duremdes also noted that Aquino still needs to gain some weight and strength, stating, “He needs to develop pa.” (He still needs to develop)

However, that doesn’t mean he can’t contribute right away. “He can be a big help,” per the new head coach, who’s emphasizing teamwork and sharing the basketball now that the club’s go-to-guy, Jericho Cruz, has declared for the PBA Draft.

Duremdes stated he doesn’t expect his team to make the Final Four this season, but they are building a foundation to help them become a contender again in the future. During that stretch, each member of the Soaring Falcons, including Aquino, will be evaluated year in and out.

“We assess it by season kung ano yung kailangan namin i-dadgdag or kailangan pa namin i-improve sa players, but definitely these players will grow kasi mga bata eh.”

(We asses by season what our players need to improve on or add to their game. They will definitely grow because they’re still young) – Rappler.com