Powerade Tigers
Founded	2002
Dissolved	Sold in 2012
History	Coca-Cola Tigers (2002–2010) Powerade Tigers (2010–2012)
Team colors	Coca-Cola Tigers     Powerade Tigers
Ownership	Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc.
Championships	2 2002All-Filipino 2003Reinforced 5 Finals appearances
Retired numbers	2 (19,22)
Light uniform Dark uniform

ThePowerade Tigers were a professionalbasketball team that played in thePhilippine Basketball Association from 2002 to 2012. The franchise was owned byCoca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) when the company acquired Cosmos Bottling Corporation fromRFM Corporation. From 2002 to 2010, the team played as theCoca-Cola Tigers. The franchise won two PBA championships, in 2002 and 2003.

In 2001,RFM Corporation sold its subsidiary Cosmos Bottling Corporation, including itsPBA franchise, toCoca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), then a subsidiary ofSan Miguel Corporation (SMC),

The newly acquired franchise debuted as theCoca-Cola Tigers beginning the2002 PBA season.

Coca-Cola Tigers

Colors
Uniforms
Light uniform	Dark uniform

In its maiden season, 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 byRudy Hatfield andJeffrey Cariaso after serving time with the national team, Coca-Cola defeated their then-sister teamSan Miguel in the semi-finals to enter their first finals appearance against theAlaska Aces.

After losingJohnny 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.

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 counterpartsTalk '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 formerMobiline 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.

Coca-Cola failed to return in the Finals in the 2004 Fiesta Conference as they were eliminated byRed Bull in the semi-finals withMark Sanford as import.

In the 2004–2005 PBA Philippine Cup, the Tigers struggled after the indefinite suspension ofRudy Hatfield due to citizenship issues, the acquisition ofAli Peek andJohn Arigo from Alaska in exchange forJeffrey Cariaso andReynel Hugnatan midway through the tournament and the naming ofChot Reyes as the head coach of the Philippine National team, the Tigers were eliminated by another sister-teamPurefoods 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 byAlaska in the wild-card phase.

During the offseason, the Tigers selectedFEU playmakerDenok Miranda in the first round, Magnolia Ice Cream forwardNeil Rañeses and Montaña Pawnshop's Al Magpayo in the second round in the PBA Rookie Draft while hiringBarangay Ginebra assistantBinky 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 theSurvivor 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 theAir21 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 theAlaska Aces, 3–1 in the quarterfinals.

In December 2006,San Miguel Corporation sold its entire stake inCoca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) back toThe Coca-Cola Company.

Months before the start of the season, the Tigers were involved in a three-team trade involving former sister teamBarangay Ginebra Kings andAir21 Express in one of the most celebrated and controversial transactions in league history.

In the deal, the Tigers dealtRafi Reavis,Billy Mamaril and the rights toRudy Hatfield to Ginebra. The Kings sent Aries Dimaunahan andErvin 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 guardJoseph Yeo as the third overall pick in the first round. The Tigers then chose FEU hotshotR.J. Rizada (12th pick), PSBA standoutManuel Caceres (14th pick), St. Francis of Assisi shooting guardChris 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 guardRonjay 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 andSta. 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 the2007 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 thatThe Coca-Cola Company would honor their existing contracts.

On March 23, 2007, team managerAllan 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 ownerEduardo "Danding" Cojuangco.

The Tigers won their first two games withAnthony Johnson, but soon suffered a series of defeats. Because of these, the Tigers made a change on its lineup. Coca-Cola replaced Johnson withJeff Varem and acquired 1998 PBA MVPKenneth Duremdes,Alex Cabagnot andRicky 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.

After a dismal season, Coca-Cola head coachBinky 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/forwardMark 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 standoutRonjay Buenafe as the 11th overall in the 2nd round.

Upon getting Buenafe, the Tigers sentJoseph Yeo and a 2008 second round pick to theSta. Lucia Realtors in exchange for forwardMark Isip and shooterCesar Catli.

On the start of the 33rd season, the Tigers won their first game against expansion team theWelcoat 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, theTalk 'N Text Phone Pals traded franchise playerAsi Taulava to the Coca-Cola Tigers in exchange forAli 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 theTalk 'N Text Phone Pals andAir21 Express to get into the quarterfinals, the lowest-seed to do so. In the quarterfinals, the Tigers ran out of gas as theAlaska 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 theWelcoat 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.

In preparation for the 35th season of thePBA, Coca-Cola unloaded several players from their line-up and underwent team-rebuilding process. They tradedRonjay Buenafe to the Burger King forMarvin Cruz andChris Ross. They traded also traded Aries Dimaunahan andM.C. Caceres to Barako Bull forKen Bono. Another move they made was they settled a trade with theSta. Lucia Realtors acquiringDennis Espino in exchange ofJason Misolas and a future draft pick. They then signed free agents Norman Gonzales andLarry Rodriguez.

At the start of theseason, Coca-Cola assigned then-assistant coachKenneth Duremdes to his first head coaching duties with the Tigers. After a few games, Duremdes was then assigned as the Team Manager and Assistant CoachBo Perasol took over as head coach. After a dismal start in thePhilippine Cup campaign, the Tigers made a move by gettingBurger King stalwartGary David alongsideChico Lanete, while giving up all-around GuardAlex Cabagnot andWesley Gonzales in a deal.^[1] 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 defeatedBurger King in their first Wildcard match^[2] before bowing out to theRain or Shine Elasto Painters in the next game.^[3]

At the start of theFiesta Cup, the team was running well as they won three straight games and four of their first five including a win over powerhouse team theSan Miguel Beermen.^[4] But after a great start, the Tigers then lost their last seven games. They ended their losing streak by winning against theBarako 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 again by Rain or Shine at the conclusion of the wildcards.

After finishing theseason fruitless,Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) announced that they will rechristen the Tigers as thePowerade Tigers starting in the2010–2011 season.^[5]

With the change of team name, big manAsi Taulava stated that he would remain and would like to retire with the franchise, and hoped to win a title with the team,^[6] even though reports circulated that expansion teamMeralco Bolts was interested with the former MVP.^[6] Having no first round pick in thedraft, the Tigers used their 18th pick to acquire apoint guard that would strengthen their backcourt.^[7] On Draft Day, Powerade selectedJai Reyes of theAteneo de Manila University as their 18th pick in the2010 Draft. On the same day, Powerade acquired Air21's 6th pick,Sean Michael Anthony, andRen-Ren Ritualo in exchange for future draft picks.^[8] During the off-season, Powerade did not renew the contracts of four players from the previous year namelyCesar Catli,Ricky Calimag,R.J. Rizada, andMarvin Cruz.^[9] On September 22, 2010,Asi Taulava was included in the three-team trade involving theMeralco Bolts and theBarako Bull Energy Boosters. Powerade received Barako'sRobert Reyes and Meralco's 2011 and 2012 second-round picks. Barako received Powerade'sKen Bono and Meralco'sBeau Belga,Jason Misolas, andKhasim Mirza. Meralco then got Powerade'sAsi Taulava.^[10][11]

After a disappointing season, Powerade began offseason buildup by releasingRob Reyes andChico Lanete, then resigning Ricky Calimag and signing free agentsAlex Crisano, James Martinez and Rudy Lingganay. In the2011 PBA Draft, Powerade selectedGilas standoutsJVee Casio andMarcio Lassiter, and acquiredJosh Vanlandingham andDoug Kramer through trades. JVee Casio however was injured as the season began and debuted a few weeks later.

The team finished with 6 wins and 8 losses and ranked 8th. WithGary David averaging almost 30 points per game during the playoffs, they had managed to beat theB-Meg Llamados, the 1st seeded team in two games. They beat theYeng Guiao-ledRain or Shine Elasto Painters in the semifinals in seven games. They enter the finals with a heavy underdog tag against theChot Reyes-mentoredTalk 'N Text Tropang Texters. Without JVee Casio in game 1, they lost against the Texters by a score of 116–100. In game 2, they lost, 106–92. In game 3, they lost in a score of 133–126. In game 4, they won by a score of 100–97. In game 5, they lost against the Texters by a score of 110–101, thus finishing the 2nd place in the Philippine Cup and Talk 'n Text becoming the champion.

Before the start ofCommissioner's Cup, thePetron Blaze Boosters was interested with the Powerade's 2011 4th overall pick Marcio Lassiter who was one of the instrumental in Powerade's Cinderella run to the finals of the Philippine Cup. Their first offer wereNonoy Baclao, andRey Guevarra in exchange for Marcio Lassiter. But on February 20, 2012, PBA vetoed the controversial trade.^[12]

At the start of the Commissioner's Cup, the team acquiredDwayne Jones as an import and lead them to a 4 wins and 5 losses. They tied with and got eliminated byMeralco Bolts, by a score of 102–98 on the knock-out game for 6th place. The team finished 7th place.

After the disappointing conference for both Powerade (4–5) and Petron (3–6), Powerade rookie star Marcio Lassiter is again on the trade bloc with Petron. Finally on April 20, 2012, the Philippine Basketball Association approved the trade in which Powerade sent Marcio Lassiter andCelino Cruz to Petron for Rey Guevarra,Rabeh Al-Hussaini, andLordy Tugade.^[13]

On May 1, 2012, another controversial trade was vetoed by the PBA which will sendDoug Kramer toBarako Bull Energy in exchange forJondan Salvador. On May 5, 2012, the revised trade which will send Doug Kramer to Barako Bull Energy in exchange for Jondan Salvador plus its 2012 1st round pick from Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters was accepted by the PBA.^[14][15]

On the Governor's Cup, the team acquiredRashad McCants and become a favored import over to his counterpart imports but gave the team a disappointing 2-losing streak at the start of the Governor's cup. He is replaced byOmar Sneed and gave the team a 4-winning streak but later suffered a 3-losing streak, despite a need of 1 more win to book a semi-finals ticket. Because of this, they advanced to the 6th-seed playoffs. They won their knockout match against Barako Bull Energy but got eliminated again by Meralco Bolts.

During the semifinal round of the2011–12 Philippine Cup, rumors surfaced that the team would be sold back toSan Miguel Corporation (SMC). This was allegedly due to an agreement between SMC andThe Coca-Cola Company (the parent company ofCoca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI)) that SMC will have theright of first refusal in the event the team would be put up for sale. The buyback by SMC did not materialize.

On February 17, 2012, JB Baylon resigns as a Powerade governor. Speculations as to the reasons of his resignation was that he was the alleged source of the rumors of the franchise's sale and the controversial trade proposal of Marcio Lassiter. CCBPI wrote the PBA to advise the appointment of Ronald Asuncion as alternate governor.^[16][17]

On May 1, 2012, rumors surfaced that CCBPI will leave the PBA because of the two recent controversial trading of its marquee players to other teams.^[18]

On July 30, 2012, CCBPI announced the sale of the Powerade Tigers to Sultan 900, Inc. which is owned and represented by its chairman and CEO Michael "Mikee" Romero.^[19][20][21] The PBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale during a special board meeting on August 17, 2012. The team was renamed as theGlobalPort Batang Pier.^[22][23]

Powerade Tigers roster

• v
• t
• e

Players	Coaches
Pos. # POB Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From C 2 Rabeh Al-Hussaini 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Ateneo G 3 James Martinez (R) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) UE G 4 Rudy Lingganay (R) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) UE F 5 Jondan Salvador 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) St. Benilde F 7 Rey Guevarra 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Letran F 8 Francis Allera 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) UST F 10 Sean Anthony 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) McGill G/F 15 Lordy Tugade 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 184 lb (83 kg) National-U C 17 Rommel Adducul 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) San Sebastian G 20 Gary David (C) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Lyceum G/F 22 Josh Vanlandingham 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Pacific Lutheran F 24 Ricky Calimag 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) San Beda F 33 Nic Belasco 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Notre Dame (MD) F 34 William Antonio (C) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Chaminade G 42 JVee Casio (R) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) De La Salle C 43 Alex Crisano  (IN) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Brooklyn	Head coach Bo Perasol (UP Diliman) Assistant coach(es) George Ella (UE) Alex Compton (Cornell) Ricky Dandan (UP Diliman) Charles Tiu (Ateneo) Legend (C) Team captain (CI) Commissioner's Cup Import (GI) Governors' Cup Import (EI) EASL Import (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (IN) Inactive (S) Suspended (R) Rookie Injured

Records from the 2011–12 PBA season:

*one-game playoffs
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage

• ^a  – Poweade retired the jersey number of Duremdes on March 23, 2012, before a Powerade–Alaska game.^[24]

• Johnny Abarrientos – 1996 PBA MVP. Member of the Tigers 2002 and 2003 championship teams and the PBA all time steals leader.
• Kenneth Duremdes – The 1998 Most Valuable Player. Acquired in 2007 Fiesta Conference from Sta. Lucia withAlex Cabagnot andRicky Calimag in exchange ofDennis Miranda, Manny Ramos and Coke's 2008 second round pick.
• Asi Taulava – The 2003 Most Valuable Player. Acquired in the 2007-08 Philippine Cup from Talk 'N Text in exchange forAli Peek and a 2008 first-round draft pick.

• Freddie Abuda – multiple Defensive Player of the Year awardee.
• William Antonio – member of the Tigers championship teams and the longest tenured player in franchise history. Played from 2002 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2012.
• John Arigo – multiple time All-Star, member of the Tigers from 2005 to 2008.
• Jeffrey Cariaso – Member of the Tigers 2002 and 2003 championship teams, named Finals MVP of the 2003 Reinforced Conference.
• JVee Casio – member of the 2011-12 Tigers as a rookie that went to the Finals in the Philippine Cup.
• Gary David – Best Player of the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup and led the team to a Finals appearance as an 8th seed, Member of PBA's 5,000 point club, and 3-Time PBA Scoring Champion from 2009–10 season to 2011–12.
• Rudy Hatfield – Member of the Tigers 2002 and 2003 championship teams, named Best Player of the 2003 Reinforced Conference.
• Edward Juinio – Tigers' center during their 2002 and 2003 championship runs.
• Doug Kramer – played for the Tigers in the 2011-12 season. Became a member of that year's All-Defensive Team.
• Marcio Lassiter – played as a rookie for the Tigers in 2011-12. The all-time leader in three-point field goals made.
• Billy Mamaril – played for Coke in the 2005–06 PBA season.
• Ali Peek – Member of PBA's 5,000 point club, Tigers' center from 2004–05 season to 2007–08.
• Rafi Reavis – one of the team's first-ever draft choice in 2002, member of the 2002 and 2003 championship teams.

• Bryant Basemore – played in 2002 Commissioner's Cup
• Rashad Bell #3 – played in 2007 Fiesta Conference
• Torraye Braggs #21 – played in 2002 Commissioner's Cup
• Calvin Cage #10 – played in 2008 Fiesta Conference, played only one game at the Tigers before getting injured
• Alex Carcamo #30 – played in the 2005–06 Fiesta Conference
• Russell Carter #2 – played in 2011 Commissioner's Cup
• Donald Copeland #4 – played in 2008 Fiesta Conference
• Carlos Daniel #21 – played in 2002
• Brandon Dean #1 – played for 2008 Fiesta Conference
• Jason Dixon #42 – played in 2008 Fiesta Conference
• Rosell Ellis #26 – played in the 2002 Governors Cup
• George "Gee" Gervin, Jr. #1 – played in 2008 Fiesta Conference, son of former NBA great George Gervin Sr.
• Ron Hale #22 – played in 2002
• Bakari Hendrix #23 – played only one game at the Tigers in 2005 Fiesta Conference before getting injured
• Darell Johns #35 – played in 2005 Fiesta Conference
• Anthony Johnson #23 – played for the 1st nine games of 2007 Fiesta Conference
• Dwayne Jones #21 – played in the 2012 Commissioner's Cup
• Rashad McCants #32 – played only first two games in the 2012 Governors Cup
• Artemus McClary #20 – named Best Import of the 2003 Reinforced Conference, led Tigers to the title of the said conference
• James Penny #23 – played in 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference
• Chris Porter #4 – played in 2012 Governor's Cup
• Jaja Richards # – played in 2004 Fiesta Conference
• Mark Sanford #3 – played in 2004 Fiesta Conference
• Omar Sneed #11 – last import; played in the 2012 Governors Cup
• James Sullinger #0 – played in 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference
• Omar Thomas #33 – played in 2005-06 Fiesta Conference
• Jeff Varem #91 – played in 2007 Fiesta Conference
• Fred Williams #22 – played in 2002 Governors'& Commissioner's Cup
• John Williamson #45 – played in 2010 Fiesta Conference
• Martin Zeno #3 – played in 2011 Commissioner's Cup

• Powerade Tigers
• Defunct Philippine Basketball Association teams
• Basketball teams established in 2002
• San Miguel Corporation
• Coca-Cola
• Basketball teams disestablished in 2012
• 2002 establishments in the Philippines
• 2012 disestablishments in the Philippines

• Webarchive template wayback links
• Use Philippine English from December 2022
• All Wikipedia articles written in Philippine English
• Use mdy dates from December 2022
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata