Tigers stay for the rest of season

MANILA, Philippines - Powerade governor JB Baylon has urged their team to stay focused on the job even as factions within Coca-Cola Bottlers Inc. were reportedly at odds on the move to maintain the PBA ball club.

Baylon stressed the Coca-Cola franchise will still be in the local pro league at least for the remainder of the season.

“I’m telling my players to ‘look at me, don’t look around, focus, let’s do it (their Philippine Cup Cinderella run) again in the second and in the third conferences,’” said Baylon in an interview by Sports Radio.

“Let’s continue to be the team the fans have started to love, then let the gods decide,” Baylon added.

He said there’s a continuing “tension” within their company, and he’s not losing hope they would decide to stay on in the PBA.

“Kung matanggal sila, madapa sila, mahulog sa hagdanan, mabukulan. Di mo masabi (They might be transferred, get tripped, fall from the stairs, get bumps. You can never tell),” said Baylon.

Apparently, the oppositions have grown bigger with the change of leadership in Coca-Cola Phils. Former chief operating officer Baring Olofsson, a foreigner married to a Mindanaoan and who’s with the group backing the Tigers team, has retired.

“The issue isn’t that simple. Some are saying we should sponsor the league not a team. Some came from countries which don’t play basketball,” said Baylon.

Meanwhile, PBA board chairman Mamerto Mondragon expressed concern on reports that Coca-Cola and San Miguel Corp. have reached an agreement for the resale of the Tigers team to the SMC group.

“If it’s true that San Miguel has brought back or regained the Powerade franchise, that’s very disturbing,” said Mondragon.

“It would have a big effect on the balance of the league if it’s true,” Mondragon added.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud, meanwhile, reserved making a comment until it officially reaches his office, if ever.

“There’s no official communication from either party. If it’s true, it’s an issue to be debated and discussed by the board,” said Salud.