Coca-Cola drops PBA brand name for Powerade

After bankrolling the all-pro national men’s basketball team to the 2009 FIBA Asia Men’s Basketball Championship in Tianjin, China, Powerade wants to make it to mainstream basketball event in the country. Beginning next season, the red and white colors of Coca-Cola will give way to the blue shade of Powerade after the team management decided to carry the energy drink brand for the Philippine Basketball Association’s 36th season. Coca-Cola Philippines’ vice president for communications and PBA board governor JB Baylon told GMANews.TV that it’s about time Powerade makes its presence felt in mainstream sports, particularly basketball. Powerade already made its mark in the international basketball scene when it became sponsor in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 FIBA Asia when it bankrolled the all-pro RP team of coach Yeng Guiao. Coca-Cola has had its runs of success in its early seasons in the PBA, winning championships in their first two years under Chot Reyes. Since then, the team struggled and barely made it past the elimination round most of the time. Maybe, replacing the team’s name and carrying a new brand would somehow change the squad’s fortune. Powerade head coach Bo Perasol said in a telephone interview that they are now thinking whether to continue carrying the moniker Tigers or a brand new one known as Raiders. “I think Raiders look more suited as a moniker since we’re carrying Powerade," said Perasol, who added that they are shoring up their roster with free agent players in the absence of a first-round draft choice. “We don’t have a first-round draftee, which is why, we will target players from the free agent list." - Rey Joble, GMANews.TV