Powerade Tigers | |
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History | |
Coca-Cola Tigers (2002–2010) Powerade Tigers (2010–2012) |
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Joined PBA | 2002 |
Team colors |
Coca-Cola Tigers Powerade Tigers |
Company | Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. |
Owner(s) | Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. |
Retired numbers | 2 (19, 22) |
Disbanded | 2012 |
Championships | |
2 championships 5 Finals Appearances |
Coca Cola Tigers | |
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Colors | |
Uniforms | |
Light uniform
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Dark uniform
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2 championships
2002 All-Filipino
2003 Reinforced
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 (2002 and 2003).
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.
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.