A STAR IS BORN: Young Gregorio living up to expectations as volleyball exec

Youthful Juanito Gregorio knows the weight his surname carries in Philippine sports.

His father, Allan, is a renowned basketball coach, former Gilas Pilipinas deputy mentor, a team manager in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), and a sports commentator.

Juanito is the nephew of three-time PBA champion coach and sports executive Ryan Gregorio while his other uncle, Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, is the current Philippine Sports Commission chairman known for his dynamic approach in developing world-class national athletes.

For Juanito, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) deputy executive director, that alone is the biggest challenge as he carves his own path and career as a second-generation Gregorio.

Carrying the Gregorio surname is both an inspiration and a responsibility.

“Yes, there has always been pressure, but everything came naturally. They never pressured me or talked to me about it. They just reminded me of the name,” the 31-year-old PNVF official said during his appearance in the DAILY TRIBUNE weekly online show Off the Court.

“My dad was a team manager in the PBA and was also an assistant coach of Gilas for a time. My uncle was a three-time PBA champion coach and is still a PBA TV broadcaster. Another uncle is known as the PSC chair.”

Juanito wants to make a name for himself and build his sports management career through hard work and not just his family name.

“Personally, I feel pressure because of the last name, but I want to do things my way. I ask them for advice, but mainly for guidance. This is also something I’m trying to do for myself,” he added.

It’s in the blood

Juanito grew up in an environment where sports is breathed like air, discipline is an essential virtue and hard work is valued.

So, his interest in sports is a no-brainer.

“Sports came naturally to me. I started playing basketball when I was three years old. When I was young, they already saw signs that I might become a coach because I was always holding a board,” he shared.

He had a colorful varsity career from high school to college, playing for University of the Philippines.

“As an athlete, I played for the UP Fighting Maroons, from the junior division all the way to Team B, for three years until 2017. I also started coaching basketball in 2017, while I was still in college,” Juanito said.

But Juanito felt pursuing a basketball career beyond his collegiate stint wasn’t for him.

Instead, he found his niche behind the scenes or specifically annotating and analyzing the game through the broadcast panel.

“In 2021, I started my television broadcast career with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. then the UAAP, and now I’m fully back with the MPBL,” Juanito said.

Aside from calling games, Juanito also does a podcast, discussing any sports topic under the sun.

Hitting it with volleyball

This year, a leadership change rocked the PNVF, with businessman and sports patron Frank Lao elected to take over the controversial federation.

Looking to reform the PNVF, Lao’s administration brought in young minds to get fresh perspectives and a new approach in running the country’s volleyball governing body.

Juanito fits in perfectly.

In fact, running volleyball affairs isn’t new to him.

Juanito was both a conditioning coach and team manager of the nine-time Spikers’ Turf champion Cignal.

“I’ve been in the volleyball world since 2022. I started as the strength and conditioning coach for the Cignal HD Spikers, and eventually became the team manager,” he said.

Juanito would like to think that it’s fate that got him to where he is now.

“Being a sports manager was something I never thought of, to be honest. I was determined to become a coach. I learned from many coaches, attended camps, and handled college, high school and grade-school teams. Coaching was really my path. I also had a youth club. I was the head coach while managing the club,” he said.

“Then Cignal offered me an opportunity. They said they saw potential in me, perhaps because of the way I speak and how I managed my youth club. That’s when I started considering that I could also work in management.”

Reaping success made Juanito realize that he could do something more for the sport.

“I won four championships as team manager of the Cignal HD Spikers. In my two years with the men’s team, all of those were championships. I never lost a championship,” he said.

“That prompted me to think that maybe I could learn more and contribute more. When the PNVF called to ask if I was available, I was a little hesitant. But it’s hard to turn down a call to serve the country,” Juanito added.

He knows the magnitude of work to be done to initiate change in the PNVF, which has been plagued by politics and other issues.

But no Gregorio backs out from a challenge.

“It’s a challenge, and it excites me. If I can leave this post better than when we started, then I’ve done my job for the PNVF. As they say, it’s for the people. When you’re called, there’s no turning back,” Juanito said.

A new Gregorio in town

Juanito has seen how his father and uncles carved their legacy in Philippine sports with their management skills.

He wants to do the same.

Juanito is bringing in different Gregorio brand through his own distinctive feature.

“It’s passion. You won’t see me get tired of what I do. I enjoy management, broadcasting and coaching,” he said.

“I won’t enter anything half-heartedly. I’ll always give 100 percent in everything I do. That’s why I took on the PNVF role. I don’t want to come in half-heartedly. If I’m here to help and cooperate with everyone, then I’m here to do that.”

“Passion has always driven me, from coaching the youngest kids — even three-year-olds — to now handling a federation. It’s the same passion and enthusiasm in everything I do in sports,” he added.

“I don’t know why, but my love for sports in the country is different. I hope I can give more. I think this is only the surface of what I can contribute, and I’m hoping to give more to Philippine sports.”