Talk about star-crossed. Everything about Ronnie Bughao seems to come with just a tint of controversy. No one ever denied the man called "Blue" has immense basketball talent. But what stands out about him has almost nothing to do with basketball the cockiness (turning his back on opponents after taking a trey without bothering to see if it goes in), the outspokenness (refs just love this guy), the swagger (opposing players apologize to him whenever they knock down one of his teammates), the reputation (As of last summer he was still officially in a Red Lions uniform). In other words, he is everything hardcore.

As a player Blue is blessed with size, strength and athleticism, standing 511' and coming in at a lean 155 pounds. His ability to play both guard spots with equal ease and proficiency makes him extremely valuable as a zone buster on offense and a trap man on defense. He can nail threes as easily as he can slash, and has even become (gulp!) very willing as a playmaker and passer. And unlike most players, Blue does not shy from taking the big shot in crucial situations. Neither does he mind being blamed if his gambits fail, bringing new meaning to the term "mucho moxie".

Having led the primarily B Team-laden Ateneo Blue Eagles to the Fr Martin Cup Open Division championship recently (ironically over his former team), Bughao has solidified the whirlwind hype as the next great Ateneo superstar. All throughout the FMC Open tournament, Blue has had the ball in his hands in the most critical moments and has, for the most part, been the man of the hour for the Blue Eagles. He continues a new trend of great San Beda players making the big move to the UAAP via Loyola Heights (Yuri Escueta, LA Tenorio, Magnum Membrere).

In an era of many great players, Blue has changed the face of the game by simply being himself, and will bring a fresh, new element of true, streetball-born toughness to the ever-evolving Ateneo basketball program.

Gameface.ph proudly salutes the FMC Open Hardcore Player of the Tournament, Ateneo guard Ronnie Bughao.

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Day 5: STI over MLQU; FEU stops UST; SBC outclasses FEATI; ADMU defeats UA-P
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FMC OPEN DAY 3: ATENEO OVER UST; LETRAN-A CLOBBERS UA-P; FEU OUTCLASSES LETRAN-B; SBC BEATS MLQU; STI DOWNS FEATI
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