JMD Featured Gamer: Vince Gabriel Grajo and His JUANminiDIY Custom Fightstick

Here at JUANminiDIY, we’re proud to showcase the talented players who represent the fighting game community.

Today, we’re excited to interview Vince Gabriel Grajo, better known as VeeGPP in the world of Street Fighter 6.

Vince has been making waves in the competitive scene and has been a long-time supporter of JUANminiDIY, having competed using one of our custom wooden fightsticks.

In this interview, we dive into his Street Fighter journey, his tournament experiences, and his personal preferences both in-game and out. Let’s dive into the conversation!

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• NAME: Vince Gabriel Grajo
• GAME: Street Fighter 6
• IGN: VeeGPP
• Previous Gear: Xbox One Controller and 2nd hand JMD Mini
• Current Gear: JMD Custom Mini

Testimonial for JMD Fightstick

“JMD fightsticks are top-tier in product quality, customer support, and customizability. Juan is super approachable, and he ensures you get the stick you want. I needed a unique layout, and JMD was the only place that could make one tailored specifically for me. The iconic wooden design also adds a unique touch that makes my controller feel truly personal.”

Career Highlights

• 2nd Place | 1st JMD Master’s Cup SF6 Tournament | Sept. 28, 2024
• 2nd Place | Battle Arena Masters SF6 Tournament | Sept. 15, 2024
• 3rd Place | Geek+Pop SF6 Tournament | Sept. 14, 2024 | Geek+Pop
• 2nd Place | Gamer Grounds Tournament | Aug. 30, 2024 (Online)
• 1st Place | Gamer Grounds Tournament | Aug. 9, 2024 (Online)
• Top 8 | MxM Road to Singapore CPT | July 27, 2024 (Online)
• 3rd Place | Smart Giga Arena Versus Tuesday | (Locals)
• 3rd Place | Hilltop Hustle #5 | (Locals)
• 1st Place | Gamer Grounds Tournament | May 3, 2024 (Online)
• 2nd Place | Hilltop Hustle #4 | (Locals)
• 2nd Place | Hilltop Hustle #2 | (Locals)
• Top 16 | Manila Madness | (Locals)

Getting to Know You

JMD: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started playing Street Fighter?

Vince: I got into Street Fighter when my dad bought a copy for our Xbox 360. I used to get destroyed by my brothers all the time, so I started practicing late into the night, trying to learn combos until I could finally beat them.

JMD: What was the first Street Fighter game you played, and what made you like it?

Vince: It was Ultra Street Fighter IV! The paintbrush aesthetic during supers and the opening scenes caught my eye, and the dramatic animations when your character is about to get hit with a super were so hilarious. I just had to keep playing after that.

JMD: Why do you enjoy playing Street Fighter more than other games?

Vince: I love how you can focus on improving specific skills, spend hours practicing them, and see the results in matches. Plus, in Street Fighter, I’m only accountable for myself—unlike team-based games where I’d feel bad if I wasn’t pulling my weight.

Gameplay & Practice

JMD: Who’s your favorite character in Street Fighter, and why?

Vince: Definitely R. Mika! Aside from her visuals, her grappling style, mix-ups, and positive energy just clicked with me. I miss her in Street Fighter 6, though. Hope she comes back soon!

JMD: How do you practice for tournaments or online matches?

Vince: Believe it or not, getting enough sleep and eating right really makes a difference. I focus on fixing those external things first before diving into practice.

JMD: What’s your strategy for learning new characters or moves?

Vince: I usually start by getting familiar with their neutral game—just testing out their basic buttons. Then I hit up YouTube for combo guides and setups. But honestly, if I don’t vibe with the character, I won’t bother learning them.

JMD: What’s your favorite move or combo, and how do you use it in matches?

Vince: Manon’s command grab is my go-to! I try to find setups or resets that lead into it, and it’s always satisfying to land that half-health damage. I love using it as a hard read to punish scared opponents.

JMD: How do you stay calm during important matches, especially in tournaments?

Vince: I just treat it like any other match. Drinking water and taking a moment to breathe between rounds helps me stay focused.

Competitive Scene & Experiences

JMD: Can you share your most memorable Street Fighter tournament experience?

Vince: At one of my first local tournaments, I pulled off a move that had the whole crowd hyped. It was one of those moments where everything clicked, and hearing the crowd go wild felt incredible. Watch the clip here! #SupportLocals

JMD: Who’s the toughest opponent you’ve faced, and what did you learn from that match?

Vince: Right now, it’s either H1ghscor3 or xopowo, both top players here in the Philippines. Their fundamentals are really strong, and I’ve learned that I still have a lot of room to grow in that area.

READ our interview with RJ Villarin aka H1ghscor3 here.

JMD: What do you think about the current competitive scene in Street Fighter?

Vince: The global scene is awesome, but I wish there were more local and regional tournaments in Southeast Asia. That’s why some friends and I are working to boost the scene here in the Philippines. I like how accessible and tight-knit the grassroots community is here. You can pretty much reach out to anyone in the local scene.

JMD: What keeps you motivated to keep improving and competing?

Vince: Knowing that I can always get better. My weaknesses are just things I can work on with enough practice.

Personal Preferences & Insights

JMD: What’s your favorite stage in Street Fighter, and why?

Vince: Deserted Temple from USFIV is a classic for me. My brothers and I always picked that stage, and it gave off that “two ancient fighters clash” vibe. In SFV, I also loved Bustling Side Street because if you knock your opponent to one side, the stage expands and they start the round with noodles on their head—so funny! (Hahahaha)

JMD: Are there any characters you find hard to fight against? How do you deal with them?

Vince: Akuma and Cammy are tricky for me right now. I don’t run into them often, so I’m not as familiar with the matchup. I usually review my replays and try to find patterns I can exploit. The upcoming SF6 replay system should help with this a lot!

JMD: Do you have any pre-match routines or habits?

Vince: First off, I make sure I don’t need to pee! (Haha) I also bring an herbal inhaler to clear my head and double-check my buttons to avoid any mishaps.

JMD: How do you balance playing Street Fighter with other aspects of your life like work or family?

Vince: I try to set aside time each day for Street Fighter—either playing or watching videos while I work. I also make sure to talk to my family if I have a tournament coming up.

Goals & Advice

JMD: What are your goals for the next year in Street Fighter competitions?

Vince: I want to reach Legend rank (top 500 worldwide), make a name for myself regionally, and become a serious contender in the Philippine scene.

JMD: What advice would you give to new players who want to get better at Street Fighter?

Vince: Pick a character you really enjoy. I’ve been using a “low-tier” character since the game came out, but I feel like I can still improve as a player before blaming my losses on the character.

JMD: Are there any upcoming Street Fighter updates or characters you’re excited about?

Vince: R. MIKA, PLEASE! If Capcom brings her back, I’ll be complete.

JMD: Where can people follow you and keep up with your Street Fighter journey?

Vince: You can join the Street Fighter 6 PH Discord and find me under VeeGPP. Here’s the link: SF6 PH Discord.

Final Thoughts

It’s clear from our conversation with Vince that his passion for Street Fighter goes beyond just winning tournaments—it’s about constantly pushing himself to improve and being part of the growing fighting game community in the Philippines.

We’re proud to have players like Vince representing JUANminiDIY with his custom fightstick, and we can’t wait to see him achieve his goals in the competitive scene.

If you’re looking for top-tier performance and custom craftsmanship like Vince, check out our JMD custom fightsticks—built for champions, made for gamers.

Stay tuned for more featured gamers and community stories here on the blog!

READ NEXT: 

• JMD Featured Gamer: Recca Villarey (Stratego)
• JMD Featured Gamer: RJ Villarin (H1ghscor3)
• JMD Featured Gamer: Paolo Luis Dizon (Pao Islaw) 
• JMD Featured Gamer: Jed James (bobps3)

Watch Vince’s video showcasing his JMD custom fightstick.