NORBERT Torres faces Meralco for the first time on Friday since signing with Barangay Ginebra before the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Torres signed as a free agent with the Gin Kings, leaving the Bolts, whom he played with for two years and won his first PBA championship when they copped the 2024 All-Filipino title.
The 35-year-old Torres, however, said it was actually an easy decision to sign with Ginebra.
“The decision was kind of a no-brainer naman eh,” he said. “In my situation, I wasn’t getting any offers from other teams that much. So once I got the call for a chance to play with Ginebra and practice, I jumped on the opportunity.”
The 6-foot-6 Torres said he had an offer to stay on with Meralco, but Ginebra was the first to call. Still, it was a difficult decision to move on from the team that acquired him in a trade with Rain or Shine for Mac Belo in May 2023.
“During the offseason, I would say it was like an emotional roller-coaster ride. Up and down. Kasi I wanted to stay with the team actually, but I guess Meralco had other plans; more for the younger guys, different direction,” he said.
“They spoke to me. But by then, I already had a meeting with Ginebra. So I decided to go with the meeting. I like the offer (of Ginebra). I like their plans, the plans that they had for me so I decided to sign,” the former La Salle player added.
Signing with the Gin Kings was a strange feeling since it was the same squad that the Bolts battled with countless times in the playoffs.
“The date that I signed, it was kind of a culture shock almost. Kind of surreal just because my whole career, I’ve always tried to beat Ginebra, beat Ginebra, and then now, I’m with Ginebra. It’s kind of a new feeling, but happy and excited to be here,” said Torres.
Torres turns attention to today and tomorrow
In past interviews, Ginebra coach Tim Cone didn’t deny that they have been interested in Torres way back in his rookie season in 2015 when the Gin Kings had the No. 5 pick. But the team instead went with Scottie Thompson, who eventually became the face of the franchise and won MVP in 2021.
“It’s still a great decision on the franchise’s part to get Scottie. That’s in the past,” said Torres. “I’m just here to be in the present. Right now, it’s all Ginebra and try to make up for lost time, I guess.”
Now in his 10th year in the league, Torres said he is out to help Ginebra in its chase for another championship. He also believes that the triangle offense fits in his style of play.
"I like it," said Torres of the triangle system. "Very challenging, but fun to play in. You are not going to get it in the first week... But I like everything that it has to offer. I feel like it fits my game the best out of all the coaches and system that I've been on. Let's see how the season goes."
"Latter part of my career, I just want to help produce and help the team in any way I can," he added.
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