Philips Gold open to using other brands to accommodate Valdez

MANILA, Philippines – Pocari Sweat, the brand Philips Gold will be using when it sees action in the Shakey's V-League's season-opening conference on May 15, is willing to change names just to accommodate collegiate star Alyssa Valdez.

There were reports that Valdez could land at Pocari where her Ateneo mentor Tai Bundit was recently hired as coach but couldn't do so because she is endorsing a competitor energy drink brand.

Ty, however, said it will not be a problem.

"The truth is, Pocari is not a direct competitor. We're a health drink while the one Alyssa Valdez endorses is an energy drink," said Ty.

"Worse comes to worse, we're willing to use our other brands, perhaps Main N' Tail, just to get her," he added.

If Pocari and Valdez could sort things out, the three-time UAAP MVP will play side by side with former collegiate rivals Myla Pablo of National U and Melissa Gohing and Michelle Gumabao of La Salle.

Valdez was left without a team after her mother squad PLDT Home Ultera begged off just for this conference due.

Ty, whose team played for the Philippine Superliga before jumping to the Shakey's V-League last month, also bared that they got Bundit, a Thai coach who steered the Lady Eagles to a pair of UAAP championships, practically for free.

"When our coach Francis Vicente decided to leave to concentrate on his University of the East team, I asked coach Tai, who I frequently eat lunch together, who he can recommend to coach my team," said Ty.

"He (Bundit) said he can. I told him I can't afford him and he said he'll do it for free so who am I to refuse," he added.