Former Blue Eagles reunited in Ginebra line-up

As Ateneo celebrated its UAAP double championship, after its senior and junior squads defeated UE and La Salle-Zobel in a pair of Game 3 matches Thursday, five former “Men in Blue" found themselves reunited in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Crowd darling Barangay Ginebra Kings got busy during the offseason adding former Blue Eagles Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia to its roster reuniting them with regulars JC Intal and Doug Kramer. Villanueva, Alvarez and Bugia ended up at the Ginebra fold following a three-team trade that involved Purefoods and Burger King. The former Ateneans are capable of playing as a starting unit in other teams. Bugia however, is currently in the reserve list. Ironically, Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico is a true-blooded Green Archer having played for La Salle in his collegiate days. La Salle and Ateneo are bitter collegiate sports rivals. But the multi-titled coach said he sees no problems with that. "We're all professionals now, so I think the issue of whether you're an Atenean or a La Sallite is out of the way," said Uichico. "They're adopting quickly to the system and will definitely be ready for the coming season." Villanueva, Alvarez and Bugia were members of the Ateneo team that won the 2002 UAAP crown while Intal and Bugia were starters for the Blue Eagle squad that was ambushed by the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the 2006 title series. Villanueva, Alvarez and Bugia’s addition to Ginebra will give the Kings youth and exuberance in their frontcourt, a factor that was definitely lacking when they lost to the San Miguel Beermen in seven games of the 2009 Fiesta Cup Finals. Their acquisition also boosted Ginebra's campaign this season as main man Mark Caguioa is set to return to active roster after missing the entire playing calendar last year. – GMANews.TV