Powerade Tigers want to change PBA identity, fortune

Make way for the new breed of Tigers. After making a name change by carrying Powerade in place of Coca-Cola, the Tigers are now hoping to transform their tame outlook to a more ferocious one in the coming 36th season of the Philippine Basketball Association. The Tigers are now bracing themselves for possible changes to happen in the days to come. And Asi Taulava, probably one of only two marketable players on the squad, is on the center of possible trade discussions. “Yes, there were queries on Asi, but we don’t know how serious it was," said Powerade governor and board treasurer JB Baylon. Baylon was referring to a Meralco offer sent through a text message. Newly-installed Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio told GMANews.TV that they did inquire on Taulava’s availability, but their offered players were initially turned down by the Tigers. “We did inquire on Asi, but Powerade doesn’t want the players we’re offering for Taulava," said Gregorio in a telephone interview. “So, I have a feeling that negotiations have now bogged down." Taulava is still on vacation in the United States after a tiring campaign reinforcing the Smart-Gilas national developmental team in the Stankovic Cup in Lebanon. But for Powerade coach Bo Perasol, change is extremely necessary in order to turn things around in the coming season. “We’re always at the lower half of the standings. Our goal is to make the upper half, which means, we should be in the top five," said Perasol. “But how can we able to do that? There are three things to be done. First, free agency. Second, through the draft, and third via trades." “We don’t have the first two options, so we’re keeping an open door through possible trades. I told Asi that he should be happy that teams are inquiring on his availability, which means, he has a high market value," he added. - GMANews.TV