Powerade Tigers keep on roaring

With Baylon gone, David and Perasol
are the last "old" guys left standing

Last night's game against the Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters put to light what Philippine basketball fans are growing to appreciate and love more and more about the Powerade Tigers'-- they are indeed the new Barangay Ginebra, a deserving heir apparent to the "Never Say Die" slogan that has been preached for years, with their mighty 122-120 come from behind win.

Once again, the Tigers drew firepower from supernova KKS Bataan Bomber Gary David who channeled his inner Ray Allen to score 32 points on a 7 of 12 clip from the three point line. Then there's the impressive debut of NBA veteran and former SMART Gilas naturalization prospect, 6"11 import, Dwayne Jones who finished with 34 points and 21 rebounds.


Granted, Jones was hardly challenged by the hapless Elasto Painters who stuck with their undersized 6"8 import Duke Crews-- the guy's solid, but he's not a 6"8 banger in the low post (say, like a Jai Lewis who was undersized yes, but knew how to play his PF/C position perfectly), but they did enjoy a 17-point lead behind a balanced scoring attack by Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan, Ryan Arana and Ronjay Buenafe. KKS OG Paul Lee seems to be struggling a bit this conference, finishing with 8 points and 6 assists-- which is starting to become a norm for him (if he keeps this up, Casio will overtake him in the stats race behind Petron's Chris Lutz and the Tigers' Marcio Lassiter).

Speaking of Lassiter, he looked a bit listless out there and was happy playing a support role. Finishing with a measly 13 points, Lassiter didn't display the usual Raja Bell-like hustle we've grown accustomed to and perhaps there's some truth in how off-court distractions tend to ruin one's approach to the game.

By off-court distractions, there's the "trade on hold" drama between Petron and Powerade. Then there's also the "are we still with Coca Cola or now under San Miguel?" episode. Oh, and to add further drama to what is now local basketball fans' favorite sidestory no matter how much AKTV tries to push the "Kobesaya" idiocy, the Tigers' governor JB Baylon-- the dude who "walks on his knees" from the doors to the altars of the famed Baclaran church, has resigned from his post with the team and with the PBA board.

Holy cow.

Baylon, who was probably the most outspoken and defiant name on the Tigers' camp during the whole "Coke to SMC" drama, is now out of the picture and has been replaced full time by his "alternate" Ronald Ascuncion who was assigned by Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. just a few nights ago.

This is a sad day for sports really, since Baylon has proven himself as a stand-up guy who not only fights for his team-- but for the fans and even more, for national interest as well.

As you may know, Baylon was one of the key figures who successfully pushed for CCBP-Powerade to bankroll the PBA's National Team in 2009 and has openly stated that he will forever open the doors to the National Team-- SMART Gilas or otherwise, should they need any of his players (Casio, Lassiter--hell, maybe even a David before everything's said and done).

Hopefully, Ascuncion carries the fight for Baylon and that the trade and even sale doesn't push through-- and if it does, that the Tigers are able to make the most of it. Lassiter to Petron? No problem. But give them 3 guys, not 2 benchwarmers. Joseph Yeo, Rey Guevarra and Nonoy Baclao sounds just about right.