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kgi2
Guest
any development on the PETRON-POWERADE trade?
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l'emigrante2
Guest
Allen Iverson has offers from Philippines?
http://www.sportando.net/eng/world/..._to_make_a_formal_offer_to_allen_iverson.html
http://www.sportando.net/eng/world/..._to_make_a_formal_offer_to_allen_iverson.html
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neo2
Guest
i believe red bull and welcoat were expansions teams hence they were allowed to bring amateurs with them without to the draft pick. that is not the case with meralco, they already have players from the slr franchise. and xpansion teams or not, red bull n welcoat have their amateur team and what they brought to the pba are their players from their pbl team.
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neo2
Guest
salud's post is still consistent with my assumption. plus it has been done before (pls refer to my previous post involving slr's franchise sale to meralco). so even if the policy is there, a team can still sell their franchise (at the least an agreement) before filing for approval. i remember that the news about powerade's supposed sale to smc has been circulating for sometime now but nobody raised a howl and no governor called for a special meeting on the supposed sale. it happened only when the other news came up, the trade between powerade and petron. the consummation of the sale can be vetoed but not a trade (if already been approved by the commish).
S
Silent Killer2
Guest
probably, one of SMC teams and MVP teams.
D
digitalsuperman2
Guest
Coke, SMC workingout deal on franchise
Coke, SMC workingout deal on franchise
i wouldn't call it a "sale" if its not a complete sale. it clearly stated prior to deciding to consummate. and MOU is not a sale in my book.
http://www.philstar.com/sportsartic...categoryid=69&articleid=777672&keyword=sp_pba
MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. president and chief executive officer William Schultz has confirmed they’re talking with San Miguel Corp. for the possible re-sale of the Coke franchise to the latter.
Schultz, however, denied that the franchise has already been sold as reported by another paper.
In a letter addressed to the PBA board of governors Monday, Schultz admitted he has met with the SMC management “conformably to a right of first refusal to buy the basketball team granted to SMC at the time CCBPI was acquired from SMC in 2007.”
Schultz said SMC confirmed its interest in maintaining and securing the right of first refusal to buy back the franchise.
The STAR has obtained a photo copy of Schultz letter to SMC president Ramon Ang, offering to sell the franchise for P100 million.
The Coca-Cola top executive stressed, though, that nothing has been finalized and no sale has been concluded.
Schultz also stated they will follow the proper process should they decide to consummate the franchise sale, first notifying and requesting approval from the PBA board.
“Its franchise has not been sold and that the ownership, operation and management of the Powerade team remain intact under CCBPI control,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud as told by Schultz in a meeting Monday.
While issues have been clarified, Salud, however, still deferred acting on the proposed trade between Powerade and Petron until after the scheduled special board meeting on Monday.
Powerade is dealing Marcio Lassiter to Petron for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.
Despite the clarification from Coca-Cola, Salud said they’re pushing through with their meeting Monday to give the governors the opportunity to ask further clarificatory questions.
On a related matter, Coca-Cola named Ronald Asuncion as an alternate governor to the PBA board while keeping JB Baylon the governor.
Schultz said Asuncion represents CCBPI on Monday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, B-Meg and Barako Bull fight for the early solo lead at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome today.
The two teams both got off to a winning start in the mid-season tourney that features imports of unlimited height with the Llamados outlasting the Meralco Bolts, 96-93, and the Energy routing the Alaska Milk Aces, 98-78, on opening day Friday.
Meralco and Petron both try to rebound from a losing debut as they play in the day’s other game at 7:30 p.m.
The Boosters bowed to the Ginebra Kings, 82-84, Sunday on Jayjay Helterbrand’s game-winning shot at the buzzer.
Coke, SMC workingout deal on franchise
i wouldn't call it a "sale" if its not a complete sale. it clearly stated prior to deciding to consummate. and MOU is not a sale in my book.
http://www.philstar.com/sportsartic...categoryid=69&articleid=777672&keyword=sp_pba
MANILA, Philippines - Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. president and chief executive officer William Schultz has confirmed they’re talking with San Miguel Corp. for the possible re-sale of the Coke franchise to the latter.
Schultz, however, denied that the franchise has already been sold as reported by another paper.
In a letter addressed to the PBA board of governors Monday, Schultz admitted he has met with the SMC management “conformably to a right of first refusal to buy the basketball team granted to SMC at the time CCBPI was acquired from SMC in 2007.”
Schultz said SMC confirmed its interest in maintaining and securing the right of first refusal to buy back the franchise.
The STAR has obtained a photo copy of Schultz letter to SMC president Ramon Ang, offering to sell the franchise for P100 million.
The Coca-Cola top executive stressed, though, that nothing has been finalized and no sale has been concluded.
Schultz also stated they will follow the proper process should they decide to consummate the franchise sale, first notifying and requesting approval from the PBA board.
“Its franchise has not been sold and that the ownership, operation and management of the Powerade team remain intact under CCBPI control,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud as told by Schultz in a meeting Monday.
While issues have been clarified, Salud, however, still deferred acting on the proposed trade between Powerade and Petron until after the scheduled special board meeting on Monday.
Powerade is dealing Marcio Lassiter to Petron for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.
Despite the clarification from Coca-Cola, Salud said they’re pushing through with their meeting Monday to give the governors the opportunity to ask further clarificatory questions.
On a related matter, Coca-Cola named Ronald Asuncion as an alternate governor to the PBA board while keeping JB Baylon the governor.
Schultz said Asuncion represents CCBPI on Monday’s meeting.
Meanwhile, B-Meg and Barako Bull fight for the early solo lead at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome today.
The two teams both got off to a winning start in the mid-season tourney that features imports of unlimited height with the Llamados outlasting the Meralco Bolts, 96-93, and the Energy routing the Alaska Milk Aces, 98-78, on opening day Friday.
Meralco and Petron both try to rebound from a losing debut as they play in the day’s other game at 7:30 p.m.
The Boosters bowed to the Ginebra Kings, 82-84, Sunday on Jayjay Helterbrand’s game-winning shot at the buzzer.
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nardy2
Guest
[h=1]Coke admits talks with SMC for Powerade sale; Lassiter trade still pending[/h] Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV · Tuesday, February 14, 2012 · 11:50 pm
AKTV/Pranz Kaeno Billones
While the Powerade Tigers still remain under the ownership and management of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., the company has met with San Miguel Corporation to discuss sale of the basketball franchise to the conglomerate.
In a statement released Tuesday, PBA commissioner Chito Salud said that CCBPI, in a letter to the league, wrote that SMC “confirmed its interest in maintaining and securing the right of first refusal to buy Powerade” even as “nothing has been finalized and no sale has been concluded.”
Last week, InterAKTV obtained a document showing that CCBPI offered the franchise for sale to SMC last November.
Reports of the sale have caused furor among fans and officials of other teams after Powerade submitted a proposal to the league to trade star rookie Marcio Lassiter to Petron, SMC’s flagship franchise, in exchange for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.
The timing was curious because the Tigers were coming off a Cinderella run in the Philippine Cup finals helped in large part by the performance of Lassiter, who emerged as one of the league’s best players, finishing third in the tournament’s statistical points race. While Baclao and Guevarra were top picks in the 2010 draft, they have been second stringers in the powerhouse Petron lineup, leading to questions about the implication of the sale reports on the trade.
The PBA prohibits teams owned by the same company to trade with each other directly.
In the letter to the PBA, CCBPI said it “will follow the proper process should it decide to consummate the sale of its franchise, namely by first notifying and requesting approval for a sale from the PBA Board of Governors.”
But after CCBPI’s admission of talks between the company and SMC regarding the sale, PBA chairman Mamerto Mondragon, who represents Rain or Shine in the board, described the trade as inappropriate.
“Of course it’s not appropriate. Let’s just say hindi pa sila nagkakabilihan, pero meron nang negotiations na baka presyo na lang ang pinag-uusapan. Then hindi maganda na may trade na mangyayari between them,” said Mondragon.
Action deferred
Salud, meanwhile, decided to defer action on the Lassiter trade until after the board holds its special meeting to discuss issues surrounding Powerade on February 20. As commissioner, he has the power to veto or revise deals that he deems imbalanced.
The decision to hold the trade, according to Salud, will give members of the board “the opportunity to ask further clarificatory questions regarding the CCBPI response.”
The PBA board originally set a meeting last Friday to discuss the Powerade situation, but were unable to reach quorum. Representatives of Powerade as well as the three SMC teams — B-MEG, Barangay Ginebra, and Petron — were unable to show up for the meeting. Barako Bull’s board representative was also absent.
Baylon still governor, but alternate appointed
In its letter, CCBPI confirmed that JB Baylon remains Powerade’s representative to the PBA board. The company also announced the appointment of Ronald Asuncion as alternate governor.
Baylon, who was instrumental in putting the core of the Tigers squad together, has been reticent toward media over the past couple of weeks, since talks of the Powerade sale and the Lassiter trade erupted. Baylon is Director for Public Affairs and Communications of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation, the Philippine branch office of the Coca-Cola Company, and a separate entity from CCBPI.
Curiously, CCBPI’s letter to the PBA indicated that Asuncion, and not Baylon, will be representing Powerade in the February 20 meeting.
While the Powerade Tigers still remain under the ownership and management of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., the company has met with San Miguel Corporation to discuss sale of the basketball franchise to the conglomerate.
In a statement released Tuesday, PBA commissioner Chito Salud said that CCBPI, in a letter to the league, wrote that SMC “confirmed its interest in maintaining and securing the right of first refusal to buy Powerade” even as “nothing has been finalized and no sale has been concluded.”
Last week, InterAKTV obtained a document showing that CCBPI offered the franchise for sale to SMC last November.
Reports of the sale have caused furor among fans and officials of other teams after Powerade submitted a proposal to the league to trade star rookie Marcio Lassiter to Petron, SMC’s flagship franchise, in exchange for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.
The timing was curious because the Tigers were coming off a Cinderella run in the Philippine Cup finals helped in large part by the performance of Lassiter, who emerged as one of the league’s best players, finishing third in the tournament’s statistical points race. While Baclao and Guevarra were top picks in the 2010 draft, they have been second stringers in the powerhouse Petron lineup, leading to questions about the implication of the sale reports on the trade.
The PBA prohibits teams owned by the same company to trade with each other directly.
In the letter to the PBA, CCBPI said it “will follow the proper process should it decide to consummate the sale of its franchise, namely by first notifying and requesting approval for a sale from the PBA Board of Governors.”
But after CCBPI’s admission of talks between the company and SMC regarding the sale, PBA chairman Mamerto Mondragon, who represents Rain or Shine in the board, described the trade as inappropriate.
“Of course it’s not appropriate. Let’s just say hindi pa sila nagkakabilihan, pero meron nang negotiations na baka presyo na lang ang pinag-uusapan. Then hindi maganda na may trade na mangyayari between them,” said Mondragon.
Action deferred
Salud, meanwhile, decided to defer action on the Lassiter trade until after the board holds its special meeting to discuss issues surrounding Powerade on February 20. As commissioner, he has the power to veto or revise deals that he deems imbalanced.
The decision to hold the trade, according to Salud, will give members of the board “the opportunity to ask further clarificatory questions regarding the CCBPI response.”
The PBA board originally set a meeting last Friday to discuss the Powerade situation, but were unable to reach quorum. Representatives of Powerade as well as the three SMC teams — B-MEG, Barangay Ginebra, and Petron — were unable to show up for the meeting. Barako Bull’s board representative was also absent.
Baylon still governor, but alternate appointed
In its letter, CCBPI confirmed that JB Baylon remains Powerade’s representative to the PBA board. The company also announced the appointment of Ronald Asuncion as alternate governor.
Baylon, who was instrumental in putting the core of the Tigers squad together, has been reticent toward media over the past couple of weeks, since talks of the Powerade sale and the Lassiter trade erupted. Baylon is Director for Public Affairs and Communications of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation, the Philippine branch office of the Coca-Cola Company, and a separate entity from CCBPI.
Curiously, CCBPI’s letter to the PBA indicated that Asuncion, and not Baylon, will be representing Powerade in the February 20 meeting.
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neo2
Guest
then its a question of operational definition. but just the same, i want to be clarified on d article i posted previously on the slr's franchise sale to meralco as it seems that on that particular case, meralco bought the franchise (paid slr) already prior to board approval.
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nardy2
Guest
http://insidesports.ph/basketball/sta-lucia-realty-franchise-sold-to-meralco/
STA LUCIA REALTY FRANCHISE SOLD TO MERALCO
Posted on 25 July 2010
An economic crunch and the fact that its real estate business doesn’t fit into the marketing possibilities associated with the professional basketball league - the PBA – Sta Lucia Realty has sold its franchise to Meralco which will join the pro league in its new 2010-2011 season.
Negotiations between the two parties have been going on for some time now and Insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports learned that the deal was consummated last Friday evening and the final installment paid to the Realtors owners headed by Exequiel Robles.
Sta Lucia had remained in the PBA since 1993 when Robles and team manager and former PBA chairman Buddy Encarnado who are both passionate followers of basketball and players themselves acquired the franchise from Universal Robina Corporation, one of the founding members of the PBA in 1993. UFC had won six PBA championships with Great Taste Coffee strining together four championhips in an unprecedented run and Presto Tivol Ice Cream.
Sta. Lucia’s contribution to basketball dates back to the the 1980’s in the Philippine Basketball League where gangling center Marlou Aquino was one of their stars and still remains with the Sta Lucia squad coached by Boyet Fernandez.
Sta Lucia’s last championship, its second in the PBA, was when the team won the 2007 Philippine Cup beating the fancied Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in a seven game series in which Dennis Espino was named Finals MVP andhigh-flying Kelly Williams emerged as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
It soon became apparent that Sta Lucia was trading its key players because of financial problems in maintaining a top-class competitive team and rather than tarnish its reputation as a leading PBA ballclub the owners decided to sell its franchise with Meralco a ready and willing buyer.
The agreement between Meralco and Sta Lucia Realty will have to be formally submitted to the PBA board of governors which is almost certain to approve it.
Meralco has been described as a team with “pedigree” and is expected to fire the imagination of basketball fans as the hardcourt rivalry between teams owned by San Miguel Corporation and businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan continues with San Miguel Beer and Talk N’ Text, both semi finalists in the on-going conference gearing for a championship showdown provided they can get past Derby Ace and the Alaska Aces.
One other problem confronting the PBA is the status of Barako Bull whose financial problems have also borne down on its ability to maintain even the semblance of a competitive squad although the coach and their players continue to give it their best shot.
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Reality is that in Business even in basketball not everything that is happening is legal and not everything is divulge in public. Just watch the on-going Impeachment Proceedings where everyone there is actually no saint.
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nardy2
Guest
You can buy either at the counters of the SMART-Araneta Coliseum Ticket Center (tel# 911-3101), the PBA Office in Libis (tel# 4703258 to 59) or at TicketNet (tel# 911-5555). Also check the Ticketing Counters at the ShoeMart Department Stores and HyperMarts.
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neo2
Guest
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neo2
Guest
pls refer to nardy's post above.
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neo2
Guest
perhaps, there was unofficial caucus on its approval already (slr to meralco). if u read the previous article i posted, there was no meeting or deliberations anymore on the board, slr just said goodbye to the other governors and that was it.
on to the present, perhaps it because smc already has 3 teams so its need approval first even on the intent.
J
Jay P. Mercado2
Guest
My opinion here, and I may be wrong, is that any PBA team which would want to sell its PBA franchise, is allowed to look for its own buyer even prior to the approval of the Board. There have been a couple of precedents of such in the past - Toyota's Jack Rodriguez having sold the Silverio franchise to Basic Holdings, Inc. of Lucio Tan in 1984, Sta. Lucia buying the Presto franchise in 1993, and yes, Meralco taking over Sta. Lucia in 2010. This is not uncommon, but any franchise sale would need approval by at least a 2/3 vote of the PBA Board. Hence, even if a sale was made between Powerade and the San Miguel Group but this was denied by the PBA Board, then SMC has no choice but to return the payment to Powerade who then would continue looking for potential buyers of its franchise. They can sought the help of the PBA in this regard, but then, the franchise value would be diminished significantly.
One reason why the PBA allows the disbanding team to look for its own buyer is to ensure that they get more value from the sale. If they sell the team on their own, and assuming they still have talented players in their lineup, then the stock value of the franchise would be much higher. Toyota disbanded after the 1983 season and they were able to get so much out of the sale because the superstars were still around. Unfortunately for Basic Holdings, Inc, Jaworski and Arnaiz balked at the sale and they didn't join Beer Hausen, instead, going to Ginebra. Arnie Tuadles and Chito Loyzaga both went to Great Taste, only to rejoin Jaworski and Arnaiz in Ginebra in 1985, while Abe King became the first "franchise" player in the PBA when he was collared by Gold Eagle Beer a few days before the announced disbandment. Those that Beer Hausen got from the sale was Fernandez (the main target) and role players Emer Legaspi, Tim Coloso, Ed Cordero, Pol Herrera, among others.
Probably the best deal that any PBA team got was the Purefoods Hotdogs. When they joined the PBA, the league was in a tight fix. They only had 6 teams and with Tanduay disbanding after the 1987 season, having 5 active teams would mean practical closure of the league. Enter the Ayala Group. Because the PBA was at a terrible situation to negotiate, Purefoods was able to maximize since Tanduay had to disband without offering the team to any potential buyer. Hence, it was the PBA that had to look for a buyer. Purefoods inquired, and got what they wanted. They only paid the franchise application fee to the PBA, which is actually cheaper compared to buying an existing team. Example - if SMC wanted to buy a new franchise, they would have to cough up P60M for franchise fee application. However, they won't get much concession from the league - probably get to directly hire 3 to 5 rookies without them going through the draft, and taking players from a blind dispersal draft taken from players that were brought into a pool by the 10 other teams. This was what happened to Red Bull and Rain Or Shine when they joined the league. They were allowed to elevate players from the amateur ranks but got crumbs from the dispersal draft as they were not allowed to know who these players were. Purefoods, on the other hand, was lucky in 1988. They only paid the franchise fee, but got concessions by absorbing the Tanduay team that was a championship team made up of then 3-time MVP winner Ramon Fernandez (who eventually would win the 1988 MVP plum), Freddie Hubalde, Padim Israel, Willie Generalao, Onchie Dela Cruz, JV Yango, Joshua Villapando, three amateur direct hires (turned out to be 4-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, 1988 ROY Jojo Lastimosa, and Defensive Team of the Year mainstay Jerry Codinera) and the top draft pick for that season (turned out to be Jack Tanuan). From the getgo, Purefoods became a championship team after acquiring all these players. Simple reason was that the league was in a poor position to negotiate as they needed Purefoods more than Purefoods needed the PBA back then.
One reason why the PBA allows the disbanding team to look for its own buyer is to ensure that they get more value from the sale. If they sell the team on their own, and assuming they still have talented players in their lineup, then the stock value of the franchise would be much higher. Toyota disbanded after the 1983 season and they were able to get so much out of the sale because the superstars were still around. Unfortunately for Basic Holdings, Inc, Jaworski and Arnaiz balked at the sale and they didn't join Beer Hausen, instead, going to Ginebra. Arnie Tuadles and Chito Loyzaga both went to Great Taste, only to rejoin Jaworski and Arnaiz in Ginebra in 1985, while Abe King became the first "franchise" player in the PBA when he was collared by Gold Eagle Beer a few days before the announced disbandment. Those that Beer Hausen got from the sale was Fernandez (the main target) and role players Emer Legaspi, Tim Coloso, Ed Cordero, Pol Herrera, among others.
Probably the best deal that any PBA team got was the Purefoods Hotdogs. When they joined the PBA, the league was in a tight fix. They only had 6 teams and with Tanduay disbanding after the 1987 season, having 5 active teams would mean practical closure of the league. Enter the Ayala Group. Because the PBA was at a terrible situation to negotiate, Purefoods was able to maximize since Tanduay had to disband without offering the team to any potential buyer. Hence, it was the PBA that had to look for a buyer. Purefoods inquired, and got what they wanted. They only paid the franchise application fee to the PBA, which is actually cheaper compared to buying an existing team. Example - if SMC wanted to buy a new franchise, they would have to cough up P60M for franchise fee application. However, they won't get much concession from the league - probably get to directly hire 3 to 5 rookies without them going through the draft, and taking players from a blind dispersal draft taken from players that were brought into a pool by the 10 other teams. This was what happened to Red Bull and Rain Or Shine when they joined the league. They were allowed to elevate players from the amateur ranks but got crumbs from the dispersal draft as they were not allowed to know who these players were. Purefoods, on the other hand, was lucky in 1988. They only paid the franchise fee, but got concessions by absorbing the Tanduay team that was a championship team made up of then 3-time MVP winner Ramon Fernandez (who eventually would win the 1988 MVP plum), Freddie Hubalde, Padim Israel, Willie Generalao, Onchie Dela Cruz, JV Yango, Joshua Villapando, three amateur direct hires (turned out to be 4-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio, 1988 ROY Jojo Lastimosa, and Defensive Team of the Year mainstay Jerry Codinera) and the top draft pick for that season (turned out to be Jack Tanuan). From the getgo, Purefoods became a championship team after acquiring all these players. Simple reason was that the league was in a poor position to negotiate as they needed Purefoods more than Purefoods needed the PBA back then.
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nardy2
Guest
[h=1]Top exec Baylon out as Powerade governor[/h] Reynaldo Belen, InterAKTV · Friday, February 17, 2012 · 7:39 pm
Photo courtesy of JB Baylon
Amid issues surrounding the Powerade Tigers franchise, a top team executive has left from his post.
JB Baylon, the team’s representative to the PBA Board of Governors where he serves as vice-chairman, resigned from his position with Coca-Cola Export Philippines, the local arm of the Coca-Cola Company.
Cat Avelino, communications director of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. which owns the PBA franchise, confirmed the news to InterAKTV.
“He wasn’t replaced as governor, but he has resigned from the company, meaning that he’s also no longer board governor of the squad,” said Avelino in a telephone interview.
Last Monday, CCBPI wrote the PBA advise the appointment of Ronald Asuncion as alternate governor. With Baylon’s departure, Asuncion will represent the team in the PBA board in an acting capacity.
A Powerade team insider said he was taken by surprise by the swiftness of Baylon’s decision.
“We were expecting him to be with us until end of February, but we were surprised that it happened so fast,” he said.
Last Tuesday, Baylon posted a cryptic message on his Twitter account: “A heavy load is off my chest: love the TRUTH and be FREE! Happy Valentine’s Day to all!”
The Tigers have been in the news with issues concerning the team’s ownership. Last Monday, CCBPI reiterated that it still owns the squad but admitted that it has had talks to sell the franchise to San Miguel Corporation.
In light of the ownership saga, PBA officials have questioned a proposed trade that would send one of the Petron’s star players, Marcio Lassiter, to Petron in exchange for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra. The timing for the trade is curious because the Tigers are coming off a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup finals, with Lassiter playing a major role. Petron is owned by SMC.
The trade remains on hold until the PBA board meets on February 20 to discuss the Powerade situation.
As the top executive in charge of basketball decisions, Baylon was instrumental in the Tigers’ rebuilding prior to the season, green-lighting decisions to draft Lassiter and top overall pick JVee Casio.
In a podcast with InterAKTV last month, Baylon said that the success of the team in the Philippine Cup has had a great effect on the morale of Coca-Cola employees, apart from boosting the image of the Powerade brand.
Baylon is also an ardent supporter of the national cause in basketball. He was responsible for Coca-Cola’s involvement with the Philippine team program, getting Powerade to bankroll the squad that represented the country in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship.
Prior to the season, Baylon also committed to make Powerade players available for the national team should they be called to service once more. Prior to joining the Tigers, Casio and Lassiter were part of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program.
“Flag should come first, especially for us, a multinational [corporation] doing business in the Philippines,” said Baylon. “It is our way of paying respect to the country which has so generously hosted us.”
Amid issues surrounding the Powerade Tigers franchise, a top team executive has left from his post.
JB Baylon, the team’s representative to the PBA Board of Governors where he serves as vice-chairman, resigned from his position with Coca-Cola Export Philippines, the local arm of the Coca-Cola Company.
Cat Avelino, communications director of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. which owns the PBA franchise, confirmed the news to InterAKTV.
“He wasn’t replaced as governor, but he has resigned from the company, meaning that he’s also no longer board governor of the squad,” said Avelino in a telephone interview.
Last Monday, CCBPI wrote the PBA advise the appointment of Ronald Asuncion as alternate governor. With Baylon’s departure, Asuncion will represent the team in the PBA board in an acting capacity.
A Powerade team insider said he was taken by surprise by the swiftness of Baylon’s decision.
“We were expecting him to be with us until end of February, but we were surprised that it happened so fast,” he said.
Last Tuesday, Baylon posted a cryptic message on his Twitter account: “A heavy load is off my chest: love the TRUTH and be FREE! Happy Valentine’s Day to all!”
The Tigers have been in the news with issues concerning the team’s ownership. Last Monday, CCBPI reiterated that it still owns the squad but admitted that it has had talks to sell the franchise to San Miguel Corporation.
In light of the ownership saga, PBA officials have questioned a proposed trade that would send one of the Petron’s star players, Marcio Lassiter, to Petron in exchange for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra. The timing for the trade is curious because the Tigers are coming off a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup finals, with Lassiter playing a major role. Petron is owned by SMC.
The trade remains on hold until the PBA board meets on February 20 to discuss the Powerade situation.
As the top executive in charge of basketball decisions, Baylon was instrumental in the Tigers’ rebuilding prior to the season, green-lighting decisions to draft Lassiter and top overall pick JVee Casio.
In a podcast with InterAKTV last month, Baylon said that the success of the team in the Philippine Cup has had a great effect on the morale of Coca-Cola employees, apart from boosting the image of the Powerade brand.
Baylon is also an ardent supporter of the national cause in basketball. He was responsible for Coca-Cola’s involvement with the Philippine team program, getting Powerade to bankroll the squad that represented the country in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship.
Prior to the season, Baylon also committed to make Powerade players available for the national team should they be called to service once more. Prior to joining the Tigers, Casio and Lassiter were part of the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national program.
“Flag should come first, especially for us, a multinational [corporation] doing business in the Philippines,” said Baylon. “It is our way of paying respect to the country which has so generously hosted us.”
R
reamily2
Guest
So boss JB returning to SMC?
A
ariel_muhlach2
Guest
It seems Baylon is conveying a strong message ...... despite attempts to silence him.
In the end lets hope "Truth shall prevail"
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lovejones2
Guest
And that "truth" is that the Powerade Team has already been sold to SMC.