Birthday Greeting to Sir Roderick Bughao ( Nove 29 )

RODERICK BUGHAO
These days, basketball followers are awed by the tremendous playmaking ability of Alaska Milk point guard Johnny Abarrientos, a contender in this year's race for PBA Most Valuable Player award. No wonder, quite a number of amateur dribblers have idolized the 'Flying A' and have really tried to excel at the point. One such player is Roderick Bughao, star court general of the predominantly-Cebuano composed Casino Rubbing Alcohol. Derick, as he is called by friends, hails from Cebu City and was born on Novem- ber 29, 1970 to Jesus Bughao and Ester Punay. He is the fifth of six kids which include Gideon, Merlyn, Allan, Rolando and Ronnie. Gideon once played for Cebu Doctors College. Derick spent two years with the high school team of the University of the Visayas and another three with the Lancers under coach Danny Duran.

From there, he played for Jaz Cola in the CBL before being recruited by Chowking for the PBL early this year. After one tournament with the Fast Food Masters, Bughao hooked up with Casino. He claims he has learned a lot from Casino coach Willie Generalao who is a point guard, too. "Tinuruan niya ako kung paano magdala ng team, magpasa nang maayos, pumusisyon sa fastbreak at marami pang iba," he said. The 5-7, 150-pound Bughao is yet un- decided whether to apply for pro status and join the January 8 draft although sev- eral friends have really encouraged him to try his luck. But Generalao says Bughao should wait for one more year. "Physically, okay na si Derick. Lahat ng galaw ng magaling na point guard nasa kanya. Maganda ang built. Pero kulang pa rin ng diskarte. Kailangang magpahinog nang husto." Of course, Bughao may tend to heed Generalao's advise.