Aquino ends up a Realtor

True to its words, Sta. Lucia Realty kept its rights on Marlou Aquino as the giant land-developing franchise matched Red Bull's offer sheet to the 6-foot-9 behemoth yesterday.

There was no hesitation on the part of Sta. Lucia to make the move as the PBA Commissioner's Office thumbed down the controversial clause in the contract that should have given Aquino the right to go to the team of his choice in year 2001.

But Red Bull officials said they will question the commissioner's decision, claiming there's no provision in the PBA charter that bars them from offering that clause.

The 27-year-old Aquino will receive the league maximum of P.5 million a month for a total of P6 million this year. He likewise stands to get P25,000 for every game won in the eliminations and quarterfinals, P30,000 for every game won in the semifinals and P35,000 for every championship game won.

Aside from the won-game bonuses, Aquino will get P1.5 million if his team wins a championship and P.5 million if he ends up the league's Most Valuable Player in the season.

During the effectivity of the contract, the former Rookie of the Year awardee cannot be traded, nor Sta. Lucia allowed to make any waiver or form of assignment to its rights over the player's contract to any other team.

Thus, Aquino will make a homecoming of sorts as he rejoins the ballclub he helped win a number of championship while it was still in the PBL.

He will also be reunited with fellow Centennial Team member Dennis Espino, and the two may well form a formidable 'Twin Towers' that will anchor Sta. Lucia's bid for a first-ever title since joining the league in 1993. -