Ryan Gregorio joins Smart Gilas

Source : Jaemark Tordecilla, InterAKTV
There’s a fresh new face at the sidelines for the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national squad.

Ryan Gregorio w/ Rajko Toroman

Three-time PBA coach of the year Ryan Gregorio, who calls the shots for the Meralco Bolts in the PBA, is now part of the staff of Rajko Toroman, the Serbian mentor tasked to try to lead the Philippine team back to the Olympics.
Gregorio, a three-time champion in the PBA, said he cherishes the chance to be part of the national team and to work with Toroman.
“I am learning a lot of new things from Coach Rajko,” said Gregorio. Toroman is highly-regarded in the international coaching scene for his tactics, after he led the Iranian national team to the 2007 FIBA-Asia Championship, its first crown in the regional competition.
Gregorio, who has received criticism from some basketball observers for his own coaching techniques even while being a favorite among players because of his motivational skills, knows his place on the team.
“Coach Rajko is still doing what he’s good at doing,” he said. “I’m here to help motivate the players and encourage them.”
Asked whether his words of encouragement and “quotables quotes” are effective for the youthful members of SMART-Gilas, he answered in the affirmative.
“It’s effective kahit sa mga matatanda.”
Gregorio has been attending practices with SMART-Gilas regularly despite still coping with the loss of his younger sister Tin, who succumbed to breast cancer earlier this week. He will join the team in Taipei for the Jones Cup later this week.