The Powerade Tigers were a professional basketball team that played in the Philippine Basketball Association from 2002 to 2012. The franchise was owned by Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) when the company acquired Cosmos Bottling Corporation from RFM Corporation. From 2002 to 2010, the team played as the Coca-Cola Tigers. The franchise won two PBA championships, in 2002 and 2003.
Beginnings
In 2001, RFM Corporation sold its subsidiary Cosmos Bottling Corporation, including its PBA franchise, to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI), then a subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation (SMC),
The newly acquired franchise debuted as the Coca-Cola Tigers beginning the 2002 PBA season.
Coca-Cola Tigers (2002–2010) +Coca-Cola TigersColors Uniforms
2002 season 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 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.
CCBPI sold to The Coca-Cola Company In December 2006, San Miguel Corporation sold its entire stake in Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) back to The Coca-Cola Company.
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 that 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
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 in height, aside from the import of unrestricted height that the other teams had.
2009–10 season 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 Wesley Gonzales in a deal.David, Cabagnot switch places, PBA.com.ph 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 matchCoca-Cola arranges KO match vs ROS, PBA.com.ph before bowing out to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the next game.ROS continues winning ways, climbs for QF, PBA.com.ph
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.Coke scratch and claw early solo lead, PBA.com.ph But after a great start, the Tigers then lost their last seven games. They ended their losing streak by winning 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 again by Rain or Shine at the conclusion of the wildcards.
Powerade Tigers (2010–2012) After finishing the season fruitless, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) announced that they will rechristen the Tigers as the Powerade Tigers starting in the 2010–2011 season.Coca-Cola drops PBA brand name for Powerade, Rey Joble, GMANews.TV
2010–11 season