Paolo Bugia knows Larry Fonacier like the palm of his hand.

The two were not only teammates in the Ateneo Blue Eagles squad as they have known each other from their early days at the Jesuit-run school in Katipunan.

"I know Larry since we were in grade school, all the way to high school, college and eventually in the PBA," Bugia, team manager of Phoenix Super LPG, told Daily Tribune in a telephone conversation.

"Not only is Larry a good basketball player, but he was also one of the best in the classroom. He's also curious about many things about basketball and outside of it and even on the financial investments."

The two long-time teammates would soon find themselves negotiating for their respective teams or making direct trade transactions as Fonacier has just been appointed the new team manager of NLEX.

"I wasn't surprised when he got appointed as new team manager and I would say, NLEX made the right choice," Bugia added.

A seven-time PBA champion, Fonacier retired from playing when his contract ended late last year, but was immediately promoted to his new role as a team executive.

The team manager position was left vacant when Yeng Guiao left the squad right before the start of the Commissioner's Cup to return as head coach of Rain or Shine.

Guiao was previously the general manager and head coach of NLEX.

Last season, Fonacier returned to play after opting not to see action in the PBA's first bubble tournament due to personal reasons.

He first saw action for the Cavitex Braves, NLEX's PBA team in the 3 x 3 tournament, before cracking the roster again of the Road Warriors.

When Guiao left the team and his spot was taken over by Frankie Lim, Fonacier was even hardly utilized and the veteran cager decided to retire when his contract ended.