Powerade Tigers - History - Powerade Tigers - 2011-12 Season: Final Season

2011-12 Season: Final Season

After a disappointing season, Powerade began offseason buildup by releasing Rob Reyes and Chico Lanete, then resigning Ricky Calimag and signing free agents Alex Crisano, James Martinez and Rudy Lingganay. In the 2011 PBA Draft, Powerade selected Gilas standouts JV Casio and Marcio Lassiter, and acquired Josh Vanlandingham and Doug Kramer through trades. JV Casio however was injured as the season began and debuted a few weeks later.

The team finished with 6 wins and 8 losses and ranked 8th. With Gary David averaging almost 30 points per game during the playoffs, they had managed to beat the B-Meg Llamados, the 1st seeded team in two games. They beat the Yeng Guiao-led Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the semifinals in seven games. They enter the finals with a heavy underdog tag against the Chot Reyes-mentored Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. Without JV Casio in game 1, they lost against the Texters in a score of 100-116. In game 2, they lost against the in a score of 92-106. In game 3, they lost in a score of 126-133. In game 4, they won in a score of 100-97. In game 5, they lost against the Texters in a score of 101-110, thus finishing the 2nd place in the Philippine Cup and Talk 'n Text becoming the champion.

Before the start of Commissioner's Cup, the Petron Blaze Boosters was interested with the Powerade's 2011 4th overall pick Marcio Lassiter who was one of the instrumental in Powerade’s Cinderella run to the finals of the Philippine Cup. Their first offer were Nonoy Baclao, and Rey Guevarra in exchange for Marcio Lassiter. But on February 20, 2012, PBA vetoed the controversial trade.

At the start of the Commissioner's Cup, the team acquired Dwayne Jones as an import and lead them to a 4 wins and 5 losses. They tied with and got eliminated by Meralco Bolts in a score of 98-102 on the knock-out game for 6th place. The team finished 7th place.

After the disappointing conference for both Powerade (4-5) and Petron (3-6), Powerade rookie star Marcio Lassiter is again on the trading block with Petron. Finally on April 20, 2012, the Philippine Basketball Association approved the trade in which Powerade sent Marcio Lassiter and Celino Cruz to Petron for Rey Guevarra, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Lordy Tugade.

On May 1, 2012, another controversial trade was vetoed by the PBA which will sent Doug Kramer to Barako Bull Energy in exchange for Jondan Salvador. On May 5, 2012, the revised trade which will sent Doug Kramer to Barako Bull Energy in exchange for Jondan Salvador plus its 2012 1st round pick from Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters was accepted by the PBA.

On the Governor's Cup, the team acquired Rashad McCants and become a favored import over to his counterpart imports but gave the team a disappointing 2-losing streak at the start of the Governor's cup. He is replaced by Omar Sneed and gave the team a 4-winning streak but later suffered a 3-losing streak, despite a need of 1 more win to book a semi-finals ticket. Because of this, they advanced to the 6th-seed playoffs. They won their knockout match against Barako Bull Energy but got eliminated again by Meralco Bolts.