POWERADE has decided to break up its version of the ‘Big Three.’

Coming off its best conference the past eight seasons and at the height of building popularity among fans, the Tigers yesterday gave away prized Draft catch Marcio Lassiter to the group bound to be their future owner.

The runner-up in the recent Philippine Cup shipped Lassiter to the Petron Blaze Boosters for Noy Baclao, the top pick in the 2010 Draft, and Rey Guevarra, the No. 3 choice in the same year, in a deal that has yet to be formally submitted to the PBA for approval of Commissioner Chito Salud.

Two sources who have first-hand information and who have requested anonymity confirmed that the pact has been agreed upon between the two ball clubs that used to be sister teams. It will not take long, though, that these two will be re-united once the season ends when formality is done of San Miguel Corp.’s purchase of the Powerade franchise.

The decision of the Tigers to send Lassiter, the No. 4 pick in the 2011 Draft, only cements that Powerade is, indeed, headed under the SMC group again. This report came out last week, but officials of the Tigers have been in denial mode.

Powerade’s move to send one of its top players in exchange for players who have rarely seen action in the Philippine Cup comes as an uncharacteristic move by a team now building a wide fan base because of a spirited, unbelievable campaign in the last All-Filipino conference.

The Tigers have just snapped out of their bottom-dwelling personality after moving from an eighth-seeded ball club to a championship contender in the season-opening tournament where Lassiter played a key part.

Lassiter, Gary David, the scoring champion, and No. 1 pick JV Casio are considered to be Powerade’s Big Three.

Not anymore.

Lassiter will now move to a franchise that re-unites him with Gilas teammate Chris Lutz, making the Boosters a formidable team in the back-court and wing positions.

What makes Petron a force to be reckoned with in the Commissioner’s Cup that opens on Feb. 10 is the return of Jay Washington to the line-up. The Boosters, however, had already traded Rabeh Al-Husseini to Air21 (formerly Shopinas.com) for the Express’s first-round pick this August, according to a source.

In letting go of Lassiter, the Tigers have lost one of the best scoring players in the league. Lassiter is also a solid clutch player and defender.

Petron will barely feel the loss of Baclao and Guevarra, who have rarely seen action in the Philippine Cup. Baclao, though, could help the Tigers in the front-line spot, the position the ball club is weakest.

PBA franchises in the past that are on the brink of being sold have released marquee players, the latest being in 2009 when Sta. Lucia Realty shipped Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes to Talk ‘N Text before the Realtors were purchased by Meralco.