Originally posted by ja.he
View Post
NorthPort's franchise is a curious case. The franchise is originally owned by RFM. It was acquired when PBA expanded in the early 1990s. The RFM Franchise ( Swift, Sunkist, Selecta, Pop Cola) has a solid history, and one would argue it is one of the greatest franchises in the 1990s, with players such as Vergel Meneses, Kenneth Duremdez, Nelson Asaytono, Boybits Victoria, Al Solis and super imports Ronnie Thompkins and Fuckin Tony Harris. it also birthed Yeng Guiao's professional basketball coaching career.
RFM's franchise was transferred to Cosmos Bottling, but still under the same owner. But then, SMC's CocaCola unit bought the Cosmos Bottling company, lock, stock and barrel. and it became SMC's 4th team at that time. (Purefoods was earlier bought by SMC from the Ayalas becoming SMC's 3rd team). PBA treated it as an expansion team and SMC was hands off on the team.
Then another separate entity, Coca-Cola Co ( not under SMC) acquired the license from SMC. So this Coca Cola Tigers (also Powerade) now, was a trully independent team. and under new management, the team flourished with players like Rudy Hatfield, Reavis, Cariaso and Gary David and was coached by the likes of Chot Reyes.
Tigers then disbanded and its franchise was acquired by the current owner, NorthPort. Currently, NorthPort hasnt showed that it is worthy to be associated with that franchise and its rich history.
Comment