YENG Guiao said Rain or Shine's first-ever jersey retirement to honor longtime leader Gabe Norwood bookmarks the franchise's history in the PBA.
Norwood’s fabled No. 5 uniform will be officially retired by the Elasto Painters on Friday during halftime of Rain or Shine’s PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup game against Converge at the Mall of Asia Arena.
READ Gabe Norwood wears 'journo hat' once more in service of Gilas
The 41-year-old Fil-Am guard was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft - three years before Guiao joined Rain or Shine. A season after, the two teamed up to give the Welbest franchise its first-ever PBA championship.
Guiao, 67, said Norwood's career summarized the Elasto Painters’ own history in the league.
“Ang history ng Rain or Shine would be parang Norwood era and post-Norwood era,” he said. “Parang yun ang kuwento ng Rain or Shine ngayon.
“Just an appropriate recognition and honor for Gabe Norwood.”
Truly, Norwood’s pro career began and ended at Rain or Shine.
The proud product of George Mason University finished his stint with the Elasto Painters last Dec. 29 when the team lost to the Meralco Bolts, 98-89, in their do-or-die encounter for a semifinals berth in the Philippine Cup.
He spent all of his 17 seasons playing for the team co-owned by the inseparable tandem of Raymund Yu and Terry Que where he averaged 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 674 games.
Along the way, he won two championships in six PBA Finals appearances, won Rookie of the Year in 2009, was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 and a member of the All-Defensive Team seven times, was once named to the Mythical Second Team, a three-time recipient of the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award, and was an 11-time All-Star, where he was also the MVP in 2010.
Norwood also represented the franchise at Gilas Pilipinas from 2009 to 2019, ironically twice playing under Guiao including the 2019 FIBA World Cup where he served as captain.
“So naging marker siya ng kuwento ng franchise,” added Guiao. “Appropriately, kailangan talaga siyang bigyan ng recognition and honor, not just because he’s a great basketball player, but because he’s a great human being.”
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