TOP TEN | COCA-COLA TIGERS OF ALL-TIME
- Syd Salazar
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
QUICK NOTE
I recently rediscovered my old Weebly account. I created this blog nearly 15 years ago, and, as expected, it’s full of typos, grammatical errors, and a few inconsistencies. It’s definitely something that needs a proper rewrite.
Taking over the remnants of the RFM franchise in 2002, the team quickly became a powerhouse—especially during the Coca-Cola Tigers era.
They debuted under Coach Chot Reyes, who had previously worked alongside Tim Cone at Alaska and later won titles with Purefoods. Reyes was joined by several familiar Alaska names, including 1996 Grand Slam members Johnny Abarrientos, Poch Juinio, Chris Bolado, and Jeffrey Cariaso. The roster also featured MBA standouts like Rafi Reavis, Ato Morano, Estong Ballesteros, and Rudy Hatfield, as well as promising college recruits such as Leo Avenido, Allan Gamboa, Gilbert Lao, and Jojo Manalo. Add Pop Cola holdover William Antonio and San Miguel’s defensive anchor Freddie Abuda, and you had the core that captured the 2002 PBA All-Filipino title, making them the first PBA team to win a championship in their maiden season.
Their second and final championship came with the arrival of former Alaska star Bong Hawkins, MBA veterans Reynel Hugnatan and Rob Wainwright, Ateneo standout Jeck Chia, and import ace Artemus “Tee” McClary.
Their next serious title push didn’t come until the 2011–12 Philippine Cup, when Gary David, JVee Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Sean Anthony, Doug Kramer, Coach Bo Perasol, and company battled hard against the Talk ’N Text juggernaut. That run remains arguably Powerade’s strongest showing since their mid-2000s slump.
When SMC eventually relinquished control of the Coke franchise, they began drawing key players into their other teams. With four franchises to maintain, it was inevitable. In 2005, Cariaso and Hugnatan were traded to Alaska for Ali Peek and John Arigo, while Hatfield stayed in the U.S. after being wrongly labeled a “Fil-Sham” (he later proved his citizenship). By 2006, Ginebra pulled off a heavily lopsided trade to acquire the returning Hatfield, Billy Mamaril, and Reavis for far less proven talent. Abarrientos also joined the Kings as a free agent, while Poch Juinio moved to Talk ’N Text.
The Tigers later tried to rebuild around young talents like Alex Cabagnot, Ronjay Buenafe, Joseph Yeo, and Denok Miranda, supported by veterans such as Kenneth Duremdes, Dennis Espino, Norman Gonzales, and Asi Taulava—but success remained elusive. More than a decade after I first wrote about them, the PBA landscape has changed dramatically. Powerade has since been rebranded as GlobalPort/NorthPort Batang Pier, and ahead of the 2025–26 PBA season, Titan Ultra stunned the league by purchasing the franchise.
THE TOP TEN
10 | ALEX CABAGNOT
2006 - 2009
Alex Cabagnot’s stint with Powerade was a major turning point in his career. Despite breaking Mark Caguioa’s high school records, his early PBA years were rocky. He famously went AWOL twice while with Sta. Lucia, which understandably frustrated team manager Buddy Encarnado. The Realtors had no interest in dealing with another Rob Parker situation—especially from a former No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 PBA Draft.
Cabagnot was eventually bundled in a trade with the Tigers to help make Kenneth Duremdes’ expensive contract more appealing (with Denok Miranda being the only notable piece Sta. Lucia really got in return). Once he landed with Coca-Cola, Cabagnot finally settled in. He embraced the role of playmaker, logged heavy minutes, and quietly rebuilt his reputation. Even though the Tigers didn’t make deep playoff runs, the stint showcased how much his game had matured.
That resurgence paved the way for his move to Air21, and not long after, to the San Miguel Beermen—where “Crunchman” would cement his legacy.
9 | POCH JUINIO
2002 - 2006
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2
FINALS APPEARANCES | 4
In 2001, Alaska shipped out aging stars Johnny Abarrientos and Poch Juinio—both members of the 1996 Grand Slam team—in a blockbuster deal that also involved Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio. Once he joined the Pop Cola Panthers, Juinio evolved from being a fifth option into a legitimate post-up presence. For a while, it even looked like he was following the path of Abet Guidaben—another late bloomer who eventually carved out superstar credentials.
Unfortunately, Juinio’s rise hit a ceiling when the Panthers became the Coca-Cola Tigers, and the team brought in Jeffrey Cariaso, Freddie Abuda, and Rafi Reavis. Still, Juinio remained an extremely dependable inside threat—an underrated low-post scorer whose strength and timing anchored the lineup. His contributions were vital to that core of Alaska “refugees” who dominated stretches of the early 2000s.
Though he never cracked a Mythical Team selection, Juinio built a reputation that outlasts awards. To many fans and peers, his name became synonymous with one thing: winning.
8 | WILL ANTONIO
2002 - 2012
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2
FINALS APPEARANCES | 5
Players came and went, but Will Antonio was one of the true constants of the franchise. He joined the team when Pop Cola traded Nic Belasco and Dwight Lago to San Miguel for Antonio and Nelson Asaytono. When the Panthers transitioned into the Coca-Cola Tigers, Antonio became a key part of the rotation—stretching the floor as a shooter and giving the wing group valuable depth.
Injuries slowed him down in the mid-2000s, and he eventually retired in 2007. But his connection with the team remained strong as he shifted into an assistant coaching role. In a rare twist, he returned to active duty in the 2010–11 season when Bo Perasol asked him to suit up again. His comeback was admirable, but Antonio knew when to step back and continue his work on the sidelines.
He holds a unique distinction: he’s the only Tiger to appear in all five Finals series in franchise history.
7 | ALI PEEK
2005 - 2008
Ali Peek began his career with Pop Cola as the No. 3 pick in the 1998 PBA Draft, selected behind Danny Ildefonso and Noy Castillo. Built like a wrecking ball but with a sweet shooting touch, Peek’s potential was clear early on. Tim Cone valued that potential so much that he was willing to part with key Alaska stars to acquire him, sending Peek and John Arigo to Coca-Cola for Jeffrey Cariaso and Reynel Hugnatan after Cone’s all-Fil-Am lineup fell short.
Peek arrived at Coke at a time when Rudy Hatfield was still sidelined by citizenship issues, and John Arigo was carrying the scoring load. His inside presence helped stabilize the frontline until he was later traded in a shock one-on-one deal that sent him to Talk ’N Text in exchange for Asi Taulava.
Peek bounced around teams in his career—but every time he moved, it was always for stars, which tells you exactly how highly he was valued.
6 | RAFI REAVIS
2002 - 2006
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2
FINALS APPEARANCES | 4
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER | 2003
Rafi Reavis first made a name for himself with the San Juan Knights in the MBA, playing alongside Bonel Balingit and Omanzie Rodriguez. When the league folded, he applied for the 2002 PBA Draft and became Coca-Cola’s first-ever draft pick—taken second overall.
His rookie season was solid but quiet, as Poch Juinio still anchored the middle. In the PBA, Reavis had to redefine his role—focusing on energy, defense, rebounding, and hustle rather than pure scoring. When Juinio went down with an injury in 2003, Reavis stepped up and posted the only double-digit scoring average of his career (10.4 PPG), earning Most Improved Player honors that same season.
His stint with the Tigers ended when he became part of the controversial multi-team trade that sent him to Ginebra—but his role in the Tigers’ early success was already cemented.
5 | GARY DAVID
2004 - 2012
FINALS APPEARANCES | 1
MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM | 2012
BEST PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE | 2011-12 PHLCUP
Gary David was drafted 10th overall by the Tigers in 2004. While that seemed low for his talent level, it turned out to be the same draft position Jimmy Alapag came from the year before, so expectations remained high. David didn’t finish his rookie season with Coke, as he was traded to FedEx, where he blossomed into an elite scorer.
He eventually returned to the Tigers—this time reunited with Coach Bo Perasol, who had already trusted him with the green light. The rest is PBA folklore. David became the league’s premier scorer, averaging 25+ points per game, the first to do so since Alvin Patrimonio in 1993. He also came within one game of tying the record for most consecutive 20-point games, finishing with 19.
In the Tigers’ final PBA season, David was named to the Mythical First Team and led Powerade back to the PBA Finals—cementing his legacy as “El Granada.”
4 | JOHNNY ABARRIENTOS
2002 - 2006
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2
FINALS APPEARANCES | 4
MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM | 2003
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM | 2005
During the 1990s, Johnny Abarrientos was the face of Alaska’s dominance, steering them to a Grand Slam and becoming the league’s MVP. But injuries and alleged off-court issues slowed him in the 2000s, and his scoring dipped.
When he was traded to Pop Cola—which soon became Coca-Cola—Abarrientos carried a mission: prove he still had it, especially against Alaska. While he no longer filled up the scoring column, his playmaking, leadership, and defense remained elite. From 2002 to 2003, the Tigers reached four Finals and won two, with Abarrientos orchestrating the offense masterfully.
One unforgettable moment came in the 2002 All-Filipino Finals, where he turned back the clock with vintage play before being injured in Game 3. The team dedicated their title run to him—and finished the job.
3 | ASI TAULAVA
2007 - 2010
MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM | 2008, 2009
MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM | 2010
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM | 2009
Despite a career full of controversy—including deportation issues—Asi Taulava was always synonymous with Talk ’N Text. A former MVP, he combined sheer power with marketability, even dabbling in acting. So when TNT traded him to Coca-Cola for Ali Peek, jaws dropped around the league.
At 34, Taulava was seeing limited minutes under Coach Derrick Pumaren, and many thought his best days were behind him. The trade reignited his fire—partly out of frustration at being moved. Teaming up with Alex Cabagnot, Ronjay Buenafe, Mark Telan, and later Gary David and Nic Belasco, Taulava turned Coca-Cola into a gritty, competitive squad.
In just over three seasons, he earned two Mythical First Team and one Mythical Second Team nod before moving to Meralco. His time with the Tigers reaffirmed one truth: The Rock was still The Rock.
2 | RUDY HATFIELD
2002 - 2006
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2
FINALS APPEARANCES | 4
MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM | 2003
BEST PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE | 2003 REINCUP
FINALS MVP | 2002 AFC
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM | 2002, 2003
Rudy Hatfield’s rise began when Pop Cola traded for him and Pido Jarencio in exchange for Noli Locsin in 2001. Though undersized at power forward, Hatfield made up for it with hustle, heart, and relentlessness on the boards.
He immediately made an impact—earning Mythical Second Team honors in his first Pop Cola season, then repeating the feat with Coca-Cola. With the right pieces around him, Hatfield helped lead the Tigers to their first championship, winning Finals MVP in the process.
But success brought scrutiny. He was later accused of being a “Fil-Sham,” leading to an indefinite suspension and only 16 games played across two seasons. When his citizenship was finally cleared, the bitterness lingered. He eventually returned to the PBA—but as part of the blockbuster deal that sent him to Ginebra.
Still, his body of work with Coke remains legendary.
1 | JEFFREY CARIASO
2002 - 2005
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2
FINALS APPEARANCES | 4
MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM | 2002, 2003
BEST PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE | 2002 AFC
FINALS MVP | 2003 REINCUP
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM | 2002
JERSEY RETIRED| #22 - 2010
Jeffrey Cariaso’s path to Coca-Cola was a winding one. He landed with the Tigers after being traded—along with Freddie Abuda—by FedEx in exchange for the No. 8 pick in the 2002 Draft (which became Renren Ritualo) plus a future second-rounder. Before that, he’d already been involved in a three-team swap that moved Mark Telan and Victor Pablo. But at his core, Cariaso was still the calm, elite wing who helped Alaska win the 1996 Grand Slam.
Teaming up with Chot Reyes, Johnny Abarrientos, Poch Juinio, and Rudy Hatfield, Cariaso became the franchise’s stabilizing force and emotional anchor. Though he missed time in the Finals against Alaska due to injury, he returned strong in the 2003 Reinforced Conference, torching San Miguel across seven games and earning Finals MVP honors.
Despite a relatively short stay, Cariaso’s impact was enormous. He delivered success, professionalism, and pride—so much so that the franchise retired his No. 22 jersey, making him one of only two Tigers ever given that honor.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
If this were a Top 20 list, others in the conversation would include: Ato Morano, Reynel Hugnatan, Robert Wainwright, John Arigo, Nic Belasco, Bong Hawkins, Kenneth Duremdes, Marcio Lassiter, Ronjay Buenafe, Sean Anthony, Joseph Yeo, Denok Miranda, JVee Casio, Dennis Espino, Mark Macapagal, Doug Kramer, Dale Singson, Ricky Calimag, Jason Misolas, Leo Avenido, and Norman Gonzales.
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