After sale, status of Powerade Tigers coaches, players remains uncertain

AKTV/Leslie Sy

Management of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. met with players and coaches of the Powerade Tigers Monday night to tell them about the PBA franchise’s sale to a firm headed by Mikee Romero.

But according to coach Bo Perasol, team executive Ronnie Asuncion did not answer their questions about the status of their live contracts, except to say that it was part of the deal with Romero. Asuncion added that the team should just wait for the return of the businessman from the London Olympics, where he travelled to support shooter Brian Rosario as president of the Philippine National Shooting Association.

Most members of the Tigers still have live contracts, except for Lordy Tugade, whose deal will expire in August.

Superstar guard Gary David, who signed a maximum extension earlier this season, is hopeful that he will be part of the new squad.

“Sana maganda na yung takbo under Mikee and maiwasan yung naging problema before,” said David, who was part of the Burger King team that Romero had been in talks to buy in 2009. After an agreement to purchase the squad, Romero had taken control of the squad, only for the deal to fall through, leaving him out of the picture.

Earlier, Perasol blasted Coca-Cola management for the way it handled the sale of the franchise.

“Wala silang malasakit sa amin,” said Perasol, adding that members of the team only heard about the sale after the PBA’s announcement. “Wala kaming kaalam-alam na ibinenta na pala yung team, hindi na muna kami sabihan, especially sa mga taong mayroon silang obligasyon.”

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Chito Salud has expressed confidence in Romero’s capability as a team owner.

“I think Mikee is now more financially capable and ready to join the PBA,” said Salud.

The sale, meanwhile, is not yet final, as it would require at least a two-thirds vote from the PBA Board of Governors for the deal to go through.

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