Chris Tiu taps former Powerade exec JB Baylon as adviser

PBA/Nuki Sabio

JB Baylon, the well-loved former Coca-Cola executive, is back in the PBA circuit.

The former league vice-chairman, however, is not joining any ball club, but will instead serve as an adviser for Rain or Shine rookie Chris Tiu.

“He’s a good friend,” Tiu told InterAKTV in a text message. “And yes, I ask advice from him for PBA matters because he knows how things work there.”

The former SMART-Gilas Pilipinas team captain was selected seventh overall by Rain or Shine in last Sunday’s PBA draft. Tiu is scheduled to sign a contract with the Elasto Painters on Sunday with the presence of the team’s owners, his parents, and Baylon.

Last season, Baylon supervised the rebuilding of Powerade, which made a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup finals. Playing key roles for the Tigers were top rookie picks JVee Casio and Marcio Lassiter, Tiu’s former teammates at SMART-Gilas.

According to Baylon, Powerade would have considered drafting Tiu, but the player did not join last year’s draft.

“Now I have had the best of both worlds: I helped draft JVee (Casio) into the PBA and am now helping get Chris (Tiu) into the PBA as well,” posted Baylon on his Twitter account.

Baylon also hired Tiu’s younger brother Charles to become part of the Tigers’ coaching staff.

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