The Powerade Tigers first participated in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft as Coca-Cola Tigers, on January 13, 2002, months before their first PBA season. The Tigers bought the original franchise of the Pop Cola Panthers in 2002 after Pop-Cola disbanded after the 2001 season. Coca-Cola received the rights for all of the Pop-Cola's players and draftees.
Rafi Reavis became the team's first draft choice, the 2nd pick in the 2002 PBA draft. Different with the former expansion teams, Coke immediately won the All-Filipino Championship during their first season.
In Coca-Cola/Powerade stint, they have never received a number-one pick.