Powerade Tigers bid emotional farewell to former exec Baylon

source: Reynaldo Belen | interaksyon.com

In one of their last moments with outgoing team executive JB Baylon, Powerade players and staff joined hands and collectively chanted, “Tigers, Fight!”


“We don’t want to use goodbye because for us, he will always be a part of the Powerade Tigers’ family,” said coach Bo Perasol.

In a farewell luncheon, the team presented Baylon a Coca-Cola jersey with the No. 243, which stands for “We Love You.”

Baylon abruptly resigned from his job in the Coca-Cola Export Company last week, amid various issues surrounding the Powerade Tigers franchise. That same day, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. chairman William Schultz hastily stripped him of his post as representative to the PBA Board of Governors.

Baylon was instrumental in putting together the Powerade Tigers squad that pulled off a Cinderella run to the Philippine Cup finals after years of losing. Shortly after the team’s finals appearance, reports surfaced that the team was going to be sold to San Miguel Corporation. To add to the controversy, Powerade proposed a trade to the PBA that would send star rookie Marcio Lassiter to Petron, which is owned by SMC, in exchange for Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra. The PBA later vetoed the trade.

Usually forthcoming, Baylon became reticent toward media when issues surrounding the team started to hog the headlines. On the night that his resignation was announced, the team dedicated its come-from-behind win against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to Baylon.

Rookie guard JVee Casio thanked Baylon for making him the top overall pick, and addedthat he and the team will always be grateful to the executive.

We will offer every victory the team gets for you,” Casio told Baylon during the luncheon.

Casio also credited Baylon for instilling a culture of humility that allowed Powerade to overachieve.

“A friend of mine told me that the reason why Powerade reached the finals was because walang mayabang sa team namin, and I agree. That’s because of the leadership of Boss JB. He doesn’t treat anyone as special. He treats everyone equal from the utility, to the players and to the coaching staff,” said Casio.

Lassiter said that his bond Baylon goes beyond basketball.

“I remember when he first spoke to me while I was still a member of SMART-Gilas in Wuhan, we talked about non-basketball stuff. For me, that’s the most sincere conversations I ever had,” said Lassiter.

Gary David, Powerade’s superstar scorer, said Baylon kept faith in him even when he was injured.

“May injury pa ako nu’n then sinabihan niya ako, bumalik ka na lang sa Coke, kami na lang magpapa-rehab sa iyo,” said David. “Yung klase ng tiwala niya sa akin despite the fact na injured ako, yun ang gustong-gusto kong suklian kay Boss, kaya naman I made a promise na gagawin ko ang lahat sa laro para matulungan ang team.”

Duremdes leaving Coke too?

Former Coca-Cola coach and player Kenneth Duremdes hinted leaving the Coca-Cola organization with Baylon’s departure.

“Boss, hindi lang ikaw ang mag-re-resign,” said Duremdes.

The PBA Most Valuable Player in 1998, Duremdes’ playing career was cut short in 2008 when he took over as coach of the Coca-Cola Tigers to replace Binky Favis. He later stepped down as coach to act as an alternate governor for the team, which he now serves as a basketball ambassador.

Duremdes hinted at a comeback this season given that he never formally retired from the game, to give his career the closure it deserves.