CEBU CITY, Philippines – Despite ending his first season in the UAAP on an ambiguous note, Zaydhen Rosano’s previous mentor, Darwin Dinoy, continues to feel immense pride for what he has accomplished so far.
The impressive player from Cebuana, who had a good chance at winning the UAAP Season 87 Girls’ Basketball MVP title, missed out on making it to the Mythical Five when she got disqualified because of a disqualifying foul in an eliminations game versus the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Worse still, her squad, the National University (NU) Lady Bullpups, lost to UST in the championship game.
Nevertheless, even with the pain, Dinoy’s pride in Rosano stays unshaken.
“I am extremely pleased because she demonstrated respect not just towards the team but also towards the institution. The key point is that she excelled greatly during her time with NU,” stated Dinoy, who first spotted Rosano while she was attempting to join the volleyball squad.
Rosano’s path from being a prospective volleyball player to becoming a basketball star underscores her resolve. Dinoy remembered advising her to switch her concentration to basketball, convinced that her stature and inherent physical gifts would render her an impressive competitor on the playing field.
“I told her that her height would be more advantageous for basketball compared to volleyball,” Dinoy said. He mentioned she paid attention, and within merely three months, they noticed remarkable progress. Her basketball abilities seemed innate, perhaps due to her brothers and sisters influencing her,” he added.
Rosano is the younger sibling of renowned Cebu basketball players Zareygel from the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and professional athlete Zaoinyl.
With Dinoy as his guide, Rosano flourished into a formidable point producer, significantly contributing to guiding Abellana National School (ANS) to consecutive Batang Pilipinas Basketball League (BPBL) championships and securing a silver medal at the Palarong Pambansa.
Prior to joining NU, Rosano showed great consideration for her ANS family by asking for approval from her mentors and peers—this gesture earned her even more support from those who had faith in her capabilities.
“Rosano was consistently disciplined and steadfast in her pursuit of obtaining a college scholarship. Her plan was to study here in Cebu rather than in Manila,” Dinoy disclosed.
Although her initial UAAP season concluded with disappointment, Rosano’s outstanding play was undeniable. Prior to her disqualification, she racked up an impressive total of 113.0 statistical points (SPs). Her average stats included scoring 18.3 points, grabbing 9.3 rebounds, dishing out 4.7 assists, and making offensively disruptive plays for 8.0 steals each game—a set of numbers that positioned her amongst the top players in the league.
Dinoy stays optimistic that Rosano will return even more robust and keep making an impact with the NU Lady Bullpups in the upcoming seasons.
“She adjusted quicker than anticipated even with the distinct systems and surroundings at NU. I hadn’t thought she would make such an instant difference,” he mentioned.
As Rosano’s journey progressed, Dinoy shared one last piece of wisdom with his previous protege:
“Remain modest. It’s essential to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground. Without humility, the journey to excellence can quickly go off course,” Dinoy ended his statement.