Gary David and Marlou Aquino are two of the best players ever played in the PBA, but basketball fans had a difficult time recollecting how their respective careers in the pro league ended.
A scoring champion multiple times, David found himself bouncing in and out of teams in the PBA following his great run for the 2012 MVP Derby, which he lost to Mark Caguioa.
The image of David showing his figuratively burning hands in torching then top seeded B-Meg Llamados of the old Purefoods franchise being handled by Tim Cone in his first conference, was the most vivid picture of how great the 6-foot-2 gunner from Lyceum was.
He steered the eighth seeded Powerade Tigers of the Coca-Cola franchise all the way to the finals before losing to Talk ’N Text in the 2012 Philippine Cup before the franchise was sold to GlobalPort the following season.
After his brief stint with GlobalPort, the man known as El Granada was traded to the Meralco Bolts where he spent three seasons. He was suspended by Bolts management due to insubordination and he was released by the squad.
The former Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference was picked up by the San Miguel Beermen, who hardly used him before the veteran swingman ended up with Mahindra, now known as Kia, until his contract expired.
Aquino, the 6-foot-9 center, had a more illustrious career.
Following numerous stints in the national team and a colorful career in the PBL, Aquino joined Ginebra San Miguel, the most popular team in the PBA, and quickly made a huge impact in the league.
The Gentle Goliath emerged as the Rookie of the Year of the 1996 season, and became a Mythical First Team for two consecutive seasons. He was instrumental in the franchise’s last championship under Robert Jaworski in 1997.
In year 2000, Aquino was traded to Sta. Lucia, his long-time amateur squad, and quickly he became an integral part of the Realtors’ campaign, helping the squad to winning its first ever championship in the 2001 Governors’ Cup.
He was again instrumental in 2007 in the Realtors’ last drive for the championship until the franchise was acquired by the Meralco Bolts.
In 2010, Aquino was acquired by Barako Bull, but his stint was short lived as the team filed for a leave of absence due to financial pinch and that was the last time PBA fans had a glimpse of The Sky Scrapper in action.
But basketball fans will see David and Aquino back in action as they will play in a fledgling Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, a league founded by Senator Manny Pacquiao. MPBL will also have Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes calling the shots.
David will reinforce the Bataan Defenders while Aquino will take his wares to the Bulacan Kuyas coached by Ogie Gumatay.
Starting Jan. 25, the two veteran players will get a new lease in life in continuing to pursue the game that they loved and a new chapter will be added to their colorful story.
Basketball fans deserved to see David exploding every game and watch Aquino clamping down on defense and bringing toughness to his new squad.
Thanks to MPBL, their careers will be revived.
Rey Joble has been a sportswriter covering the PBA games for more than a decade. He is a member of the PBA Press Corps and Philippine Sportswriters Association.
