OraCare freshens up Ateneo bid in Shakey's V-League

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo’s quest for a first title in the Shakey’s V-League got a big boost with the entry of Pascual Laboratories, Inc. as the team’s sponsor in the sixth season beginning tomorrow at The Arena in San Juan City.

PLI, through its mouthwash product OraCare Mouthrinse, thus became the first corporate backer of a team in the country’s premier women’s volley league, which has gained tremendous popularity the last few years.

“We want to help develop further women’s volleyball and we’re quite happy to be Ateneo’s sponsor and be part of the league,” said Ding Camua, sports director of PLI.

An Ateneo graduate and a Hall of Famer, Camua said they hope their entry will also boost the Lady Eagles’ confidence as they gun for a first-ever crown in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, Accel and OraCare.

“I think the team has a pretty good chance this year,” said Camua of the squad, who had a two-week training in Thailand as part of its buildup for the coming conference of the league’s sixth season.

With the comely Charo Soriano back as guest player, Ateneo-OraCare is raring to bounce back from a forgettable showing in the second conference where it wound up a dismal seventh.

Joining Soriano in the Michelle Laborte-coached team are Gretchen Ho, Averil Paje, Kara Acevedo, Bea Pascual, Angeline Gervacio, Fille Cainglet, Misha Quimpo, Stephanie Gabriel, Aillyse Nacachi and Jam Ferrer. OraCare Mouthrinse is one of over 150 products of PLI, which is also set to launch its own brand of toothpaste in the coming days.

“We have other products that we want to promote with women’s volley and we feel the Shakey’s V-League is a good vehicle for us,” said Camua.

He also hopes other companies will follow suit and sponsor other teams in what could pave the way for the emergence of a commercial women’s volley league featuring the country’s top players.