Powerade Tigers Team History

The Powerade Tigers is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 2002 when the then-San Miguel Corporation-owned Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines bought the RFM-owned Cosmos Bottling Corporation. In 2006, the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company under the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. bought the franchise from SMC and has since owned the team. From its first season until 2010, the team was dubbed as the Coca Cola Tigers before changing to Powerade Tigers.

Their current head coach is Bo Perasol although its most successful coach was Chot Reyes, when he led the team to two PBA championships, first in 2002, then in 2003.

History

Pop Cola Panthers

Pop Cola Panthers arrived in the PBA in 1990 as one of two expansion teams in the league. In 1992, as Swift, they won the Third Conference by sweeping 7-Up with Yeng Guiao as head coach. As Sunkist, they won the 1995 All-Filipino and Commissioners Cup title with Derrick Pumaren as head coach.

In 2001, Republic Flour Mills (RFM) sold its subsidiary COSMOS Bottlers Corporation to food company giant San Miguel Corporation. The move also absorbed the PBA team, which gave SMC four PBA ballclubs. After the PBA board gave the go-signal to allow the team to remain in the league, it was renamed as the Coca-Cola Tigers before the start of the 2002 season.

The old Pop Cola team's lineage was removed, with Viva-Vintage television commentators mentioning the Tigers as an expansion club after winning the 2002 All-Filipino Cup. However, it can be argued that Pop Cola is a Cosmos product, and the lineage of the old Swift, and Sunkist franchise still exists on the current team. But since RFM still owns Swift and Sunkist, the lineage of the old franchise to the Tigers could also be legitimately removed.

Under the San Miguel Corporation

Coca Cola Tigers

2002 season

In Coca-Cola's maiden campaign, the Tigers failed to capture the first two conferences of the tournament (a third place finish in the Governor's Cup and a disappointing quarterfinals finish in the Commissioner's Cup), the Tigers surged ahead in the All-Filipino Conference. Bannered by Rudy Hatfield and Jeffrey Cariaso after serving time with the national team, Coca-Cola defeated their then-sister team San Miguel in the semi-finals to enter their first finals appearance against the Alaska Aces.

After losing Johnny Abarrientos in Game One of the best-of-five series, the Tigers won the next three games to secure their first-ever PBA title. Ironically, the Tigers clinched the series on the first PBA game held on Christmas Day.

2003 season

During their second season in the league, Coca-Cola failed to win the championship in the first two conferences. In the All-Filipino Conference, the Tigers blew a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series as their counterparts Talk 'N Text won the next four games to win the series. In the Invitational tournament, Alaska took revenge on the Tigers, winning the said tournament in three games.

But the Tigers succeeded in the Reinforced Conference. Bannered by former Mobiline import Artemus McClary, Coke won against San Miguel in seven grueling games to win their second PBA crown.

McClary was named Best Import of the tournament while Hatfield won the Best Player of the Conference award for the first time in his career.

2004-05 season

Coca-Cola failed to return in the Finals in the 2004 Fiesta Conference as they were eliminated by Red Bull in the semi-finals with Mark Sanford as import.

In the 2004-2005 PBA Philippine Cup, the Tigers struggled after the indefinite suspension of Rudy Hatfield due to citizenship issues, the acquisition of Ali Peek and John Arigo from Alaska in exchange for Jeffrey Cariaso and Reynel Hugnatan midway through the tournament and the naming of Chot Reyes as the head coach of the Philippine National team, the Tigers were eliminated by another sister-team Purefoods in the wild-card phase, 2-1.

Eric Altamirano made his return in the PBA as Coca-Cola's coach in the 2005 Fiesta Conference but the Tigers finished dead last in the tournament, eliminated by Alaska in the wild-card phase.

2005-06 season

During the offseason, the Tigers selected FEU playmaker Denok Miranda in the first round, Magnolia Ice Cream forward Neil Rañeses and Montaña Pawnshop's Al Magpayo in the second round in the PBA Rookie Draft while hiring Barangay Ginebra assistant Binky Favis as the team's third head coach in nine months. The Tigers entered the 2005-2006 PBA Fiesta Conference as one of the least contenders. Coca-Cola Tigers finished ninth place in the classification phase and was eliminated by San Miguel in the Survivor Round.

In the 2006 PBA Philippine Cup, the Tigers went 7-9 in the classification phase. However, after starting the season 4-0 and 6-2 in the first round, the Tigers lost seven of the last eight games, falling in a tie for fifth place with the Air21 Express. Both teams played a one-game match for the final outright quarterfinals berth in the playoffs on May 28 with the Tigers defeating the Express 97-83. The win gave the Tigers its first quarterfinals berth since the 2004 Fiesta Conference. The Tigers lost to the Alaska Aces, 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

Under the Coca-Cola Company

In 2006, rumors of an impending sale of SMC's majority share of the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines back to the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta are close to being a done deal surfaced. In December 2006, the sale was officially announced.

2006-07 season

Months before the start of the season, the Tigers were involved in a three-team trade involving former sister team Barangay Ginebra Kings and Air21 Express in one of the most celebrated and controversial transactions in league history.

In the deal, the Tigers dealt Rafi Reavis, Billy Mamaril and the rights to Rudy Hatfield to Ginebra. The Kings sent Aries Dimaunahan and Ervin Sotto, along with future draft picks to Air21 while Coca-Cola received Kalani Ferreria from Brgy. Ginebra, Ryan Bernardo from Air21 and Manny Ramos (initially from Ginebra but was received from Air21 under the revised version of the deal).

During the draft held in Market-Market, Taguig, the Coca Cola Tigers selected ex-La Salle shooting guard Joseph Yeo as the third overall pick in the first round. The Tigers then chose FEU hotshot R.J. Rizada (12th pick), PSBA standout Manuel Caceres (14th pick), St. Francis of Assisi shooting guard Chris Pacana (15th pick), Air21 Express traded their 2006 second round pick for the Tigers 2007 second round pick that was sealed on the draft day, slotman/center Mike Gavino (16th pick), and ex-Letran guard Ronjay Enrile (17th pick) in the second round.

At the start of the season, Coca-Cola struggled throughout the conference due to its depleted lineup but had its share of surprising wins over Red Bull and Sta. Lucia among others. The Tigers barely made it to the wildcard phase with a 5-13 record.

In the wildcard phase, Coke pulled off a 99-98 come-from-behind win over Alaska on a Denok Miranda buzzer-beating triple. But the Tigers lost their next two games to bow out of contention for the quarterfinals phase.

But prior to the start of the 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference, it was announced that the Atlanta-based company will have full control of the franchise, with coaches, players and management staying upon further notice, saying the Coca-Cola Company would honor their existing contracts.

On March 23, 2007, team manager Allan Caidic announced his resignation from his post to allow the Coca-Cola Company to have a free hand in running the team affairs. It was speculated that the move was because of Caidic's loyalty to the former team owner Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco.

The Tigers won their first two games with Anthony Johnson, but soon suffered a series of defeats. Because of these, the Tigers made a change on its lineup. Coca-Cola replaced Johnson with Jeff Varem and acquired 1998 PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes, Alex Cabagnot and Ricky Calimag from Sta. Lucia in exchange of Denok Miranda, Manny Ramos and future picks. The Tigers finish 7th in the classification phase and was relegated to wildcard phase.

With scoring import Rashad Bell at the helm, Coke beat Purefoods in the first knockout wildcard match, but suffered a monumental 102-101 loss to San Miguel in the last match for the quarterfinals, despite leading 101-97 with 13 seconds to play.

2007-08 season

Asi Taulava joined the Coca-Cola Tigers in November 2007. He stayed until September 2010, when he was traded to the Meralco Bolts

After a dismal season, Coca-Cola head coach Binky Favis made some interesting moves that made the Tigers a competitive team during the 33rd season. Looking for a man in the middle and guards to boost its lineup, the Tigers pawned center/forward Mark Telan from Air21 in exchange for its two 1st round picks in the 2007 draft and signed Egay Echavez in the free agent pool. On draft night, the Tigers picked former Emilio Aguinaldo standout Ronjay Buenafe as the 11th overall in the 2nd round.

Upon getting Buenafe, the Tigers sent Joseph Yeo and a 2008 second round pick to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in exchange for forward Mark Isip and shooter Cesar Catli.

On the start of the 33rd season, the Tigers won their first game against expansion team the Welcoat Dragons but then suffered a franchise-worst eight straight losses.

Because of injuries and a string set of setbacks, Coca-Cola took Aries Dimaunahan from Air21. On November 26, the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals traded franchise player Asi Taulava to the Coca-Cola Tigers in exchange for Ali Peek and a 2008 first round pick. Asi "The Rock" then became Coke's main skipper. He then led his team to a five-game winning streak that was enough to get the Tigers through the wildcard phase with a 7-11 card during the season.

In the wildcard phase, the Tigers eliminated the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals and Air21 Express to get into the quarterfinals, the lowest-seed to do so. In the quarterfinals, the Tigers ran out of gas as the Alaska Aces swept them in the best-of-3 series, partly due to overfatigue on the part of the Tigers.

Having the second-worst elimination round record, the Tigers, along with the Welcoat Dragons were allowed to acquire an import 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) in height, aside from the import of unrestricted height that the other teams had.

2009-10 season

Gary David, was acquired by the Tigers for Alex Cabagnot.

In preparation for the 35th season of the PBA, Coca-Cola unloaded several players from their line-up and underwent team-rebuilding process. They traded Ronjay Buenafe to the Burger King for Marvin Cruz and Chris Ross. They traded also traded Aries Dimaunahan and M.C. Caceres to Barako Bull for Ken Bono. Another move they made was they settled a trade with the Sta. Lucia Realtors acquiring Dennis Espino in exchange of Jason Misolas and a future draft pick. They then signed free agents Norman Gonzales and Larry Rodriguez.

At the start of the season, Coca-Cola assigned then-assistant coach Kenneth Duremdes to his first Head Coaching duties with the Tigers. After a few games, Duremdes was then assigned as the Team Manager and Assistant Coach Bo Perasol took over as Head Coach. After a dismal start in the Philippine Cup campaign, the Tigers made a move by getting Burger King stalwart Gary David alongside Chico Lanete, while giving up all-around Guard Alex Cabagnot and shooter Wesley Gonzales in a deal. After the trade, they then went on to win 4 straight games, but still ended up in the 7th seed of the team standings. The Tigers defeated Burger King in their first Wildcard match before bowing out to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the next game.

At the start of the Fiesta Cup, the team was running well as they won three straight games and four of their first five including a win over powerhouse team the San Miguel Beermen. But after a great start, the Tigers then lost their last seven games. They ended their losing streak by wining against the Barako Bull Energy Boosters. They finished the eliminations with an 8-10 record and advanced to the Wildcard round. They won their knockout match against Sta. Lucia but got eliminated by again by Rain or Shine at the conclusion of the wildcards.

Powerade Tigers

After finishing the season fruitless, Coca-Cola Philippines announced that they will rechristen the Tigers as the Powerade Tigers starting in the 2010-2011 season.

2010-11 season

With the change of team name, big man Asi Taulava stated that he would remain and would like to retire with the franchise, and hoped to win a title with the team,even though reports circulated that expansion team Meralco Bolts was interested with the former MVP. Having no first round pick in the draft, the Tigers used their 18th pick to acquire a point guard that would strengthen their backcourt. On Draft Day, Powerade selected Jai Reyes of the Ateneo de Manila University as their 18th pick in the 2010 Draft. On the same day, Powerade acquired Air21's 6th pick, Sean Michael Anthony, and Ren-Ren Ritualo in exchange for future draft picks. During the off-season, Powerade did not resigned players from the previous year Cesar Catli, Ricky Calimag, R.J. Rizada, and Marvin Cruz. On September 22, 2010, Asi Taulava was included in the three-team trade involving the Meralco Bolts and the Barako Bull Energy Boosters. Powerade received Barako's Robert Reyes and Meralco's 2011 and 2012 second-round picks. Barako received Powerade's Ken Bono and Meralco's Beau Belga, Jason Misolas, and Khasim Mirza. Meralco then got Powerade's Asi Taulava.