Noli Locsin

Who is Noli Locsin?

Manuel Luis Locsin, better known as Noli Locsin, is a retired Filipino professional basketball player. He spent most of his career for the Ginebra San Miguel 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, Benny Cheng and Vince Hizon, and Bal David to form the 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 6-2 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.