MANILA, Philippines – Coca-Cola executive JB Baylon promised that the Powerade Tigers will stay in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) despite off-court issues.

San Miguel Corp. has reportedly re-acquired Coca-Cola Philippines, which owns the Powerade franchise.

This could, of course, affect the team’s future.

“Of course, concerned sila (the Tigers) sa mga balita. That’s why I’m telling them ‘to look at me, don’t look around, let’s do it again in the second and in the third conferences,’” said Baylon on PBA.ph.

Baylon was referring to Powerade’s Cinderella run in the Philippine Cup, where it finished second place despite their underdog status.

He admitted that there are certain groups within their company who wanted to abandon the PBA franchise.

“Hindi simple ang dynamics sa amin. Yung iba ang gusto liga ang isponsoran namin, hindi team. You have to understand marami sa amin galing sa bansang ‘di naglalaro ng basketball,” Baylon explained.

Baylon admitted that the change in leadership further complicated the matter.

“Mr. Baring Olofsson, the former country manager who is married to a Filipina from Lanao, has retired. He’s in the faction supporting the team. Of course, you know to what faction I belong,” he said.

Baylon urged the Tigers to focus on the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup, while he work on the office politics.

“Let’s continue to be the team the fans have started to love, then let the gods decide,” he said.