Aquino faces rap for allegedly mauling fan

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Lucia’s Marlou Aquino faces sanction from the PBA Commissioner’s Office for his involvement in a mauling incident after the Sta. Lucia-Burger King match at the Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday.

Aquino and five still unidentified men allegedly hit a 24-year-old businessman after the Whoppers whipped the Realtors, 94-81, to force a sudden death in their Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference quarterfinals showdown.

The victim, identified as Gitesa Raju Giduani of No. 9031 Arandia St., San Antonio Village, Makati City, said he was apparently attacked by Aquino and company after he figured in an argument with the player’s daughter.

PBA operations chief Rickie Santos said he himself had seen the incident.

“There were punches being thrown but I didn’t actually see the people involved,” said Santos who was on the other side of the court.

“We got initial reports but the commissioner (Sonny Barrios) wants complete report from the Araneta Coliseum security force before acting on the case,” he added.

The PBA radio panel caught the incident and reported the presence of Aquino in the commotion.

Senior Police Officer 1 Dante Surban of QC Police District Station 7 said the incident happened at around 9:45 p.m. after the Burger King-SLR encounter.

The complainant allegedly commented over how Aquino should have been the one who took the shot in one stretch of the contest.

“Sana si Marlou na lang ang tumira (Marlou should have taken the shot),” he allegedly said and to which the PBA cager’s daughter reacted negatively, triggering a spat.

Surban said Aquino and five others allegedly confronted Giduani after the game and mauled him.

Police Officer 2 Jester dela Cueva has been tasked to handle the investigation of the physical injury in case the victim decides to file charges.

“I will consult my lawyer before pursuing any legal action,” the complainant told police after asking them to put the incident on record.

Aquino is back in top form, being among SLR’s steady performers in the reinforced tourney.

With Kelly Williams out in sickbay, the least the Realtors would want to happen is the loss of another key player.