Gatorade ambassadors among top picks in 2016 PBA Draft

From left: Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration Tony Atayde with Gatorade brand ambassadors Gelo Alolino, Chris Javier, Kevin Ferrer, Von Pessumal and Mike Tolomia.

Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration Tony Atayde (left) with Gatorade ambassador and 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup Finals MVP LA Tenorio (right).

Manila, Philippines - Basketball stars from Gatorade’s roster of top athletes were among the successful draftees who will soon make their PBA debut after the recently concluded 2016 PBA Draft.

Former NU Bulldog Gelo Alolino was drafted by Phoenix Fuel Masters; UE Red Warrior Chris Javier went to Star Hotshots; UST Growling Tiger and Gilas 5.0 headliner Kevin Ferrer joined Barangay Ginebra; while his Gilas teammates Von Pessumal from ADMU and Mike Tolomia from FEU were drafted by GlobalPort Batang Pier and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters respectively.

“We’re very proud of them and we can’t wait to see them dominate in the big league,” Tony Atayde, Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration, said. “As Gatorade brand ambassadors, they will continue to help us educate aspiring basketball stars about the importance of proper hydration in maintaining top athletic performance.”

As the official sports drink of the PBA, the world’s number one sports drink also helped prepare the draftees in an intensive two-day training camp designed to assess and improve athletic talent prior to the 2016 PBA Draft. The Gatorade PBA Draft Combine lays the groundwork for PBA hopefuls with various performance tests, court drills, and a mini-league.

“Raw talent will only bring short-lived success without proper training and proper hydration,” Atayde added. “Gatorade is at the forefront of contemporary sports science and we will bring that expertise to the PBA.”