Paolo Bugas started the next chapter of his football career right where he first made a name for himself — at Far Eastern University-Diliman.
The former Global FC midfielder was on the sidelines. At the same time, the Baby Tamaraws started their UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Football Tournament campaign with a 1-0 over the Ateneo Blue Eagles last Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
“Nag-start siya after nung nag-take ako ng C License course sa Carmona last year,” said the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara silver medalist. “Actually, hindi ko siya ine-expect kasi yung goal ko lang talaga nung bumalik ako ng Maynila is to get a seminar or course with the C License.
“Tapos ayun nagbakasakali lang ako. Why not try with FEU since dun ako nanggaling? Luckily tinanggap din ako kasi lumapit din ako kay coach Vince Santos and they gave me a chance to return din dahil sa experience ko in football and what I know.”
Back when he played for FEU in the UAAP, Bugas won two championships each at the high school and collegiate ranks. The Season 76 Most Valuable Player awardee also represented the country at the under-23 and senior levels.
He has since become a mainstay in the professional circuit.
Now that he is coaching young boys, he is making sure to exert as much patience as possible. There will be times when frustration kicks in when he sees his wards not executing well whether in practice or during actual matches.
Still, that’s all part of the process.
“Kino-kontrol ko naman kasi siyempre magkaiba naman yung experience namin before. Yung system na na-experience namin magkaiba talaga kasi we were under a Korean coach and everyone knows Master Kim naman and how he disciplined the players before,” said the 29-year-old midfielder.
“Isa yun sa mga bagay na may gap talaga in this generation. I think madali lang naman ituro yun if Filipino lang din mag-gui-guide sa kanila pero kailangan din talaga ilagay sila sa isang page to keep moving forward.”
For now, Bugas is only working with FEU’s high school team, with whom he started working back in May 2023. It remains to be seen if the school will assign him to its men’s and women’s teams.
Despite starting a new chapter in his career, he is still not ready to hang his playing boots yet as he has signed with an undisclosed club in the Philippines Football League.
“Magandang start din siya sa coaching career ko so I’m very excited for this path but at the same time lalaro pa rin ako sa professional football,” said Bugas.
“Exciting siya kasi when I started coaching, I learned the difference talaga between a player and a coach so mas broad yung perspective ko sa isang team. Kaya nasabi ko kanina na exciting siya na path kasi while I teach, I also learn from them,” he continued.
“Gusto ko lang to ipagpatuloy and we’ll see sa future.”
As one of the pioneers of FEU’s success in football in the modern era, Bugas hopes to instill that same winning mentality in his players.
The Baby Tamaraws are gunning for a 12th consecutive championship this year, and they are the favorites to go all the way.
There will still be many challenges ahead, though, before that happens but it would be a sensational start to his coaching career if he can help guide the Baby Tamaraws across the finish line.
“As my first UAAP coaching stint, my goal is to get the 12-peat with these boys.”
