Matthew Aquino

In this Japanese name, the surname is Akino.
Matthew Aquino
マシュー・アキノ
No. 13 – Gunma Crane Thunders
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueB.League
Personal information
Born (1996-09-28) September 28, 1996 (age 28)
NationalityFilipino / Japanese
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
CollegeAdamson (2014)
NU (2016–2017)
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2020Bacoor City Strikers
2020–2021Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors
2021–2024Shinshu Brave Warriors
2024–presentGunma Crane Thunders

Matthew Irvine Marlou Aquino (マシュー・アキノ, Mashiyū Akino[1], born September 28, 1996[2]) is a Filipino-Japanese professional basketball player for Gunma Crane Thunders of the Japanese B.League. Listed at 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) and 220 pounds (100 kg), he plays the power forward and center positions.

Early life and education

Aquino was born on September 28, 1996, to Marlou Aquino and Marjorie Sheila Toma-Aquino. He attended Lourdes School of Mandaluyong in Metro Manila, Philippines.

College career

Adamson University

In college, Aquino first entered Adamson University first playing for the Falcons in the UAAP in Season 77.

National University (Philippines)

Aquino later moved to the National University. He made his UAAP debut for the NU Bulldogs in Season 79.[3][4] He played five games for the Bulldogs before being ruled ineligible to suit up for the collegiate side due to residency issues.[5][6][7] He was able to represent the Bulldogs in Season 80.[8][9]

Amateur career

Aquino played alongside his father Marlou for the Bacoor City Strikers in the semiprofessional Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).[10] Bacoor did not renew his contract, causing Aquino to become a free agent in March 2020. He was later signed in by MPBL club Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors.[11]

Professional career

In late 2021, Aquino was signed in to play for the Shinshu Brave Warriors of the Japanese B. League. Under league regulations he would be fielded as a local player owing to his Japanese heritage.[12][13]

On June 16, 2024, Aquino signed with the Gunma Crane Thunders of the B. League.[14]

Career statistics

UAAP

[15]

Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014-15 Adamson 14 14.1 .345 .286 .143 1.6 .3 .1 0.8 1.6
2016-17 NU 5 12.9 .143 .200 1.000 3.0 .6 - 1.2 2.0
2017-18 13 10.8 .706 .429 .571 3.0 .1 .1 .9 4.8
Career 32 12.6 .440 .292 .500 2.4 .3 .1 .9 3.0

National team career

Aquino has been named part of the Japan national team pool for the first window of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers in November 2021.[16] He is initially hesitant since playing for Japan would mean he won't be eligible to play for the Philippines national team but he was encouraged by his father to pursue the chance to play for Japan since it was in the East Asian country where he got an opportunity to play for a national team.[17] He was not named part of the final roster for November 2021 window but was invited to join further training camps in 2022.[18] He made his debut for Japan on February 26, 2022, in the national team's 76-71 win over Chinese Taipei in the World Cup qualifiers.[19]

Personal life

Matthew's father, Marlou Aquino is also a former professional basketball player who played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).[20] Aquino has Japanese heritage, through his maternal grandmother.[21] Aquino often turns to his father and his sister Marla when it comes to making key decisions in his life including his basketball career.[17]

References

  1. ^ J Basket [@jbasket_web] (October 15, 2021). "【Bリーグ】信州ブレイブウォリアーズ マシュー・アキノ" (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retweeted by Shinshu Brave Warriors – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "アキノマシュー" (in Japanese). Shinshu Brave Warriors. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. ^ Naredo, Camille (September 19, 2016). "Aquino 'decent' in NU debut, says coach". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  4. ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 5, 2015). "Source: Matthew Aquino moving from Adamson to NU Bulldogs after Duremdes firing". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Henson, Joaquin (December 16, 2016). "Altamirano says it's time to move on". Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Terrado, Reuben (September 6, 2016). "Matthew Aquino eligibility comes under question ahead of NU debut, says source". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "NU's Aquino declared ineligible for UAAP Season 79". Tiebreaker Times. September 11, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  8. ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 15, 2017). "Matthew Aquino is growing in confidence, thanks to dad's former rival Danny Ildefonso". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  9. ^ Naredo, Camille (September 27, 2017). "UAAP: FEU holds on to beat NU, gains solo 4th place". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "Marlou and Matt Aquino make MPBL history, spark Bacoor Strikers to seventh win". Tiebreaker Times. August 7, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  11. ^ Li, Matthew (October 29, 2021). "Sta. Lucia manager Encarnado glad to see 'apo' Aquino grow in Shinshu". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  12. ^ Leongson, Randolph (October 16, 2021). "Matthew Aquino joins Pinoys in Japan, signs with Shinshu Brave Warriors". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  13. ^ Lozada, Bong (October 15, 2021). "Matthew Aquino signs multiyear deal to in play in B. League as local". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "マシュー・アキノ選手 2024-25シーズン 選手契約(新規)合意のお知らせ". 群馬クレインサンダーズ. June 16, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  15. ^ "Matthew Aquino - Career Stats - HumbleBola". Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  16. ^ Giongco, Mark (November 15, 2021). "Matt Aquino 'honored' to be part of Japan national team pool for Fiba World Cup qualifiers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Li, Matthew (November 19, 2021). "Expecting the Unexpected: Japan changes the life of Matt Aquino". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  18. ^ Li, Matthew (November 25, 2021). "Matt Aquino does not make Japan's Final 12 vs China". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  19. ^ Li, Matthew (February 26, 2022). "FIBA WC: Akatsuki Five escape Chinese-Taipei as Aquino makes debut". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "Marlou Aquino's son signs with Japan B.League's Shinsu". ABS-CBN News. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  21. ^ Leongson, Randolph (October 16, 2021). "Here's why Matthew Aquino is eligible to play as a local in Japan B.League". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved October 17, 2021.