Pocari may use another brand to take 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 to accommodate collegiate star Alyssa Valdez into its roster.

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’s energy drink brand.

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

“The truth is, Pocari is not a direct competitor. We’re a health drink while the one Alyssa endorses is an energy drink,” said Ty.

“But we’re willing to use our other brands, perhaps Mane 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 remains without a team one week before the league kicks off its 13th season after her mother squad PLDT Home Ultera begged off this conference.

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 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.