Noli Locsin

Noli Locsin

Personal information
Born	(1971-10-19) October 19, 1971
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	De La Salle University
PBA draft	1994 Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Tondeña 65 Rhum Masters
Playing career	1994–2005
Position	Power forward / Small forward
Number	6
Career history
1994–1999	Tondeña 65 Rhum Masters / Ginebra San Miguel / Gordon's Gin Boars / Barangay Ginebra Kings
1999–2000	Pop Cola 800s / Pop Cola Panthers
2001	Tanduay Rhum Masters
2002	Red Bull Thunder
2003	Talk 'N Text Phone Pals
2004–2005	Sta. Lucia Realtors
Career highlights and awards
2× PBA Champion (1997 Commissioner's, 2002 Commissioner's) 4× PBA All-Star (1994–1996, 1999) 2× PBA Mythical Second Team (1996, 1997)

Manuel Luis Locsin (born October 19, 1971 in the Philippines), better known as Noli Locsin, is a Filipino retired professional basketball player. He spent most of his career for the Ginebra franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association. Known as The Tank, he was a former star player with the De La Salle Green Archers during his UAAP years.

In 1994, in an effort to change their dismal fortunes, the Ginebra franchise was renamed as Tondeña Rhum 65. The team selected Locsin with their first pick, the burly forward from DLSU topping a draft which included Rey Evangelista and eventual Rookie of the Year winner Boybits Victoria. Hoped by many fans to save the team, his rookie season averages of 18.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists in 34.9 minutes was not enough as Tondeña's struggles continued, winning just 12 of the 32 games that year. Locsin's arrival served as a precursor for the acquisitions of Marlou Aquino and Wilmer Ong (via draft), Benny Cheng and Vince Hizon (via trade), and Bal David (via free agency) to form a formidable Ginebra ragtag/glamour group of the 90s.

Playing for then player-coach Robert Jaworski's never-say-never system, he flourished playing power forward while being undersized at only 6-3 without being able to develop outside shooting. A consistent low post threat, Locsin closed the size gap with his strength and skill although he began to fade out as soon as he parted ways with Jaworski. Before the arrival of Fil-Ams in the PBA, Locsin was considered as one of the top bruisers of his time in a time when it was rare for a Filipino player with his bulk to move as quick and leap as he did. Locsin was then traded to Pop Cola for Vergel Meneses where he drifted to other PBA teams.

Currently, Locsin now plays for a traveling team composed of ex-PBA stars.

External links

• Player Profile at PBA-Online!