The 2002 Coca-Cola Tigers season was the 1st 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 and 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 Players Added Via Draft All five players drafted Via Free Agency Freddie Abuda (From San Miguel Beermen; originally traded to Tanduay) Lowell Briones (From Batang Red Bull Thunder) Jeffrey Cariaso (From Tanduay Rhum Masters) Jovie Sese (Pick by Pop Cola last year) Absorbed 8 players from Pop Cola
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 by becoming the first team to win a PBA title in its maiden season as they captured the season-ending All-Filipino Cup crown over the Alaska Aces, three games to one. The Tigers won their first championship on a historic night on Christmas Day with a 78-63 victory in Game four of the finals.
Roster
Eliminations (Won games) Date Opponent Score Venue (Location) February 10 FedEx 66-62 Araneta Coliseum February 22 San Miguel 85-79 Ynares Center March 3 Purefoods 89-69 Philsports Arena March 9 Brgy.Ginebra 82-74 Cuneta Astrodome March 16 Alaska 79-53 Cuneta Astrodome April 4 Red Bull 96-77 Makati Coliseum April 7 RP-Selecta 70-66 Araneta Coliseum April 14 Talk 'N Text 95-90 Araneta Coliseum June 18 FedEx 110-82 Cuneta Astrodome June 22 Shell 78-70 Cuneta Astrodome July 4 Brgy.Ginebra 70-65 Cuneta Astrodome July 9 Purefoods 91-72 Cuneta Astrodome July 19 Talk 'N Text 94-91 Cuneta Astrodome August 8 RP-Selecta 74-62 Cuneta Astrodome October 27 Shell 80-52 Araneta Coliseum November 3 Purefoods 83-58 Araneta Coliseum November 8 Brgy.Ginebra 85-63 Cuneta Astrodome November 13 FedEx 75-69 Philsports Arena November 20 Sta.Lucia 67-53 Cuneta Astrodome November 29 Talk 'N Text 92-84 Cuneta Astrodome
References