Daryl Nazareno (right) joins USC teammates (left to right) Kevin Oleodo and Nico Magat. (Grab from Nazareno’s Facebook page)
The University of San Carlos’ (USC) prodigal son has finally returned.
After making a name for himself as a top gun for the San Beda Red Cubs, shooting guard Daryl Nazareno is back in the Warriors’ camp, hoping to reboot a stalled collegiate career that saw him toil in the Red Lions’ Team B for a few years.
Nazareno’s return, which was confirmed by newly installed head coach Britt Reroma, actually reunites the streak-shooting wingman with his former coach who he played for for several seasons at the national juniors powerhouse.
“His addition to the team is very important,” said Reroma, who was recently named as the Warriors’ new head coach following the exit of Junthy Valenzuela. “ He’s a high-percentage shooter who can help us stretch the defense. And with Ian Ortega still recovering, he will be leaned on for vital contributions.”
Nazareno’s return stint with the Warriors has brought his career to a full circle after starting with the USC’s Baby Warriors team before moving to the powerhouse Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu program. From there, he made his way to a loaded San Beda team, where he starred on the title-winning team alongside now UAAP Rookie of the Year Arvin Tolentino, Francis Abarcar, Van Abatayo and Ranbill Tongco.
Nazareno’s stock was so high that he even played in the country’s first-ever national high school all-star game back in 2012 along with the likes of Jeron Teng and Thomas Torres. But while his batchmates have since went on to play in both the UAAP and NCAA collegiate wars, Nazareno has yet to make his way to the next level, playing in San Beda’s Team B before taking the school year off last year.
The 6-foot wingman is expected to bolster an already-loaded backcourt that has Cesafi Mythical Five member Victor Rabat, Ian Tagapan and the aforementioned Ortega, who is still recovering from a knee surgery.