05/06/2026
FROM PUERTO PRINCESA TO THE NATIONAL STAGE – THE DEVELOPMENT OF JV LANUZA
BAYUGAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL SUR — By the conclusion of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, John Vincent "JV" Lanuza had accumulated five gold medals across three editions of the country's premier school sports competition.
The achievement places him among the most successful badminton players of his generation and caps a development pathway that began far from the traditional centers of Philippine badminton.
Lanuza grew up in Puerto Princesa City alongside longtime doubles partner Ralph Niño Dalojo. For young athletes from Palawan, pursuing high-level competition often involves challenges beyond training and match preparation. Participation in major tournaments typically requires travel outside the province, creating financial and logistical demands that are less pronounced for athletes based in larger urban centers.
Despite those constraints, Lanuza and Dalojo continued to compete whenever opportunities became available.
Among the first individuals to recognize their potential was Adonis, who introduced the pair to tournament opportunities in Metro Manila. Exposure to stronger competition accelerated their development and provided an early indication that they could compete successfully beyond the provincial level.
The wider badminton community soon took notice.
In 2022, Lanuza was named Most Promising Player at the Prime Badminton Open in Cavite. The recognition came before his national breakthrough but served as an early signal of his potential.
His development was shaped by a network of mentors and coaches. His father, Joey Lanuza, played a central role in his early training, while Coach Dodoy helped guide the growth of young badminton players in Puerto Princesa. Coach Dodoy passed away last year, but his influence remains evident through the athletes he helped develop.
As Lanuza and Dalojo continued to progress, they were eventually discovered and trained by BCBA, providing access to a more structured competitive environment and further opportunities for advancement.
Their development was further strengthened through training with the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Junior NCAA Team under the guidance of Coach A. Exposure to a highly competitive collegiate-style program allowed both athletes to train alongside accomplished players and experience a higher level of competition at an early stage of their careers.
The combination of provincial roots, national-level exposure, structured club development, and collegiate training created a pathway that would eventually lead to success on the country's biggest school sports stage.
The first major national result arrived at the 2024 Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City. Partnering with Ralph Niño Dalojo, Lanuza captured the Secondary Boys Doubles title and earned the first Palarong Pambansa gold medal of his career.
He followed that performance with a successful title defense at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte, this time alongside Karl Raphael Contreras. During the same tournament, he partnered with Cristel Fuentespina to win the Mixed Doubles championship, completing a two-gold campaign.
At the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, Lanuza reunited with Dalojo and secured another Boys Doubles title. He also claimed the Mixed Doubles championship with Fuentespina, producing a second consecutive double-gold performance.
Across three editions of the Palarong Pambansa, Lanuza won championships with multiple partners and in multiple disciplines. The consistency of those results reflects both individual development and the support structures that contributed to his progress.
With five Palarong Pambansa gold medals, Lanuza now moves to the next stage of his career.
The transition to collegiate badminton and BWF competition will present a different challenge. Opponents will be older, more experienced, and competing within a broader international pathway.
Alongside him remains a familiar presence. Ralph Niño Dalojo, his longtime partner from Puerto Princesa and fellow national champion, is expected to continue competing at higher levels of the sport.
For both athletes, the next phase represents a progression from school sports to a more demanding competitive environment.
Their record to date suggests they have earned that opportunity.
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