2002 Coca Cola Tigers season

The 2002 Coca-Cola Tigers season was the first season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Draft picks

New team

Formerly the Pop Cola Panthers, RFM Corporation sold its entire stake in softdrink unit Cosmos Bottling Corporation, including its PBA franchise to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. The team was renamed Coca-Cola Tigers as a new ballclub. Records of the Pop Cola Panthers were not retained.

Transactions

Occurrences

Key players Rudy Hatfield and Jeffrey Cariaso serve time for the national team in the first two conferences, three other tigers; rookie Rafi Reavis and center Poch Juinio played for RP-Selecta while Johnny Abarrientos played for RP-Hapee during the Governor's Cup.

Championship

The Coca Cola Tigers made history, becoming the first team to win a PBA title in its maiden season, winning the season-ending All-Filipino Cup crown over the Alaska Aces, 3 games to 1. The Tigers captured their first championship on Christmas Day, defeating the Aces, 78-63 in Game 4 of the finals.

Roster

Coca-Cola Tigers roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # POB Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From 2.5 !G/F 3 PHI ! Manalo, Jojo style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 74 !6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) – UPHSD 6.0 !C 4 USA ! Reavis, Rafi style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 80 !6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) – Coppin State 4.0 !F 8 PHI ! Briones, Lowell style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 75 !6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) – University of Visayas 6.0 !C 9 PHI ! Lao, Gilbert style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 80 !6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) – UST 1.5 !G 10 PHI ! Morano, Renato style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 72 !6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) – San Beda College 4.0 !F 12 PHI ! Gamboa, Allan style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 77 !6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) – State U 1.5 !G 14 PHI ! Abarrientos, Johnny style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 68 !5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) – FEU 4.0 !F 15 PHI ! Misolas, Jason style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 75 !6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) – Letran College 4.0 !F 16 PHI ! Ballesteros, Estong style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 75 !6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) – UST 1.5 !G 18 PHI ! Avenido, Leo style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 74 !6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) – FEU 1.5 !G 22 USA ! Cariaso, Jeffrey style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 74 !6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) – Sonoma State 6.0 !C 24 PHI ! Bolado, Cris style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 79 !6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) – National University 4.0 !F 25 PHI ! Abuda, Freddie style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 76 !6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) – University of Cebu 6.0 !C PHI ! Sese, Jovie style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 78 !6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) – MLQU 1.5 !G 31 USA ! Antonio, William style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 75 !6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) – Chaminade 6.0 !C 32 PHI ! Juinio, Poch style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 77 !6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) – State U 4.0 !F 99 USA ! Hatfield, Rudy style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 75 !6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) – Michigan-Dearborn 1.5 !G 26 USA ! Ellis, Rosell (G) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 75 !6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) – McNeese State 4.0 !F 22 USA ! Williams, Fred (G) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 80 !6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) – Alabama-Birmingham 4.0 !F 22 USA ! Hale, Ron (G/C) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 79 !6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) – Florida State 5.5 !F/C USA ! Basemore, Bryant (C) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 80 !6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) – Fort Hays State 4.0 !F USA ! Braggs, Torraye (C) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 79 !6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) – Xavier University 4.0 !F USA ! Daniel, Carlos (C) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; | 78 !6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) – Washington State	Head coach Chot Reyes Assistant coach(es) Biboy Ravanes Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (G) Governor's Cup Import (C) Commissioner's Cup Import Injured

Games won (Elims)

References