It's the opposite of what he expected, but Rain or Shine veteran Gabe Norwood is harboring no bad feelings after his final bow was spoiled by a quarterfinal exit.
After all, Norwood's 17-year career in the PBA – with the Elasto Painters – is filled with a lot of great memories.
He said, “Mentally I had imagined this (last game) differently, I thought it was going to be a championship and you know the situation would be more enjoyable, but I've been blessed. I can't complain at all.”
Norwood, who turned 40 in February, tagged the Season 50 Philippine Cup as his “final flight”. The 6-foot-6 swingman is leaving behind a legacy highlighted by two PBA championships, an 11-time All-Star Game appearance, All-Star Game MVP and Defensive Player of the Year accolades in 2010, Rookie of the Year and Mythical Second Team in 2009, a seven-time PBA All-Defensive Team, and a three-time Sportsmanship Award.
Norwood coach Yeng Guo said, “He is the epitome of loyalty and decency and being a true professional.” “Madlas ko sabihin na wala kang maipipinatus ka gabe, eh, kahit sa anong bagay.”
“I pride myself on being a very loyal person, especially if loyalty has been shown to me and Rain or Shine has done that since day one. It's not easy to win in the PBA and I think we all understand the difficulties that can come with resources and things like that. But Rain or Shine finds ways to compete. And I am very proud of it. I've been playing for the underdogs my entire career. “I like being the underdog, but it makes winning even more special,” Norwood said.
They may have missed out on Norwood's happy exit, but the E-Painters will honor him by retiring his familiar number 10.
Guiao said, “We have actually proposed to retire his number as a sign of recognition and respect for the work he has done. I think the management would be very willing to do that.”
Before his swan song, Norwood was serving the Roas as an assistant coach. Guiao said that it is up to the ROS lifer if he wants to remain in this position.
Norwood is open-minded but fatherhood is his main job at the moment.
“I definitely want to stay in the game with Batang Gilas for now and see where it goes in terms of coaching,” he said.
“But at the end of the day I just want to be the best dad I can be. Put my kids in the best position possible to develop as a young man, maximize their talent and what they're doing. So that's my number one priority and then anything after that is, you know, icing on the cake. So family first and figure out the basketball stuff.” , Olmin Leyba