CHRIS Ross was among the closest friends who were around when Rain or Shine officially retired the jersey of franchise player Gabe Norwood.
And if there’s one thing that Ross regrets in his PBA career, it’s never getting the chance to play with Norwood under one team.
“That’s one thing we’ve always talked about. We never played with each other,” disclosed the 41-year-old San Miguel Beer veteran, who returned to action on Sunday in a 98-94 win over NLEX in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
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“Obviously, he played the whole time with them (Rain or Shine). And obviously, it’s one of my regrets that I wasn’t able to play (with him).”
The San Miguel playing assistant-coach was part of Norwood’s circle of friends in attendance two weeks ago as the longtime Rain or Shine stalwart had his jersey No .5 formally framed as the first ever to be retired by the franchise.
Ross was with fellow Fil-Ams Simon Enciso and Sol Mercado during the special retirement ceremony at the Mall of Asia Arena.
He admitted trying to recruit Norwood in jest for them to be together in one team.
“We’re around each other everyday so there’s always a friendly banter, but it’s nothing serious,” said Ross. “Like I tried, ‘Hey c’mon. But he’s been always loyal to Rain or Shine,” he added of his good friend, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the Elasto Painters in the 2008 draft.
“There’s a time he could have easily requested a trade, but he stayed loyal, and I think that’s the type of person that he is.”
Norwood played his entire 17-season career with the franchise co-owned by Raymund Yu and Terry Que, won two championships with the organization and picked up several individual awards along the way.
Asked if Norwood tried to recruit him instead, Ross let out a wide smile on his face.
“I’ve been with San Miguel the last 14 years, so I wasn’t really ready to go,” he stressed. “I wanted him to come play with me. Who wouldn’t want it? But he’s such a loyal person.”
Ross disclosed that it was actually Norwood who paved the way for him to have a pro career here in the country.
A former college teammate of Ross played alongside Norwood with the Athletes In Action team that visited the country back in 2006.
His classmate told him about how an amazing place the Philippines is and mentioned about playing together with Norwood in the team.
“So he put me and Gabe in contact, and we’ve been really close since then,” Ross recalled.
The San Miguel veteran was in his senior year in college back then, while Norwood was coming out straight from a Cinderalla-like campaign with the George Mason University that reached the NCAA Final Four in 2006.
“He was coming out of college and after the next few months, he played first in the PBL (Hapee Toothpaste), and I stayed home for a moment,” said Ross. “But he and I remained in contact, and he let me know how the PBL was.”
Not long after, Ross followed suit and likewise saw action in the defunct semi-pro league playing for Pharex where he won MVP honors and the Best Player of the Conference award.
In 2009, Ross applied for the PBA draft and was taken at No. 3 overall by Burger King.
“He (Gabe) connected me with his agent, that’s why Gabe was a huge reason why I was in the PBA,” said the San Miguel stalwart. “I don’t know where my career would have been (if not for him).”
So no way would Ross miss out on the special moment as Norwood’s pro career finally came to an end.
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