RAIN or Shine coach Yeng Guiao paid tribute to Gabe Norwood for his qualities that included loyalty after his 17-year playing career ended on Monday with an Elasto Painters defeat in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Norwood meant so much to the franchise that it was a dampener that his career ended the way it did - a playoff exit, after the Elasto Painters lost a twice-to-beat advantage against Meralco.
READ: Norwood plays final game of storied PBA career after RoS' ouster
“We are just kinda disappointed that we wanted to give Gabe a really good exit. Sayang. But nonetheless, we should still give recognition to what he has done for the franchise the last 17 years,” Guiao said.
“He is the epitome of loyalty and just decency and true to being a professional. Madalas kong sabihin na wala kang mapipintas kay Gabe eh. Wala kang mapipintas kahit sa anong bagay,” he added.
Guiao shared Norwood made a speech to the team in the locker room after the Elasto Painters’ 98-89 loss to the Bolts, with some of the players, mostly the younger ones, couldn’t help but feel emotional.
“Gabe gave a good speech to the team. He thanked the team. He thanked the whole crew, the ballboys, the coaching staff, and management. And Gabe is not going away. He is just going to be around naman daw sabi niya.”
“We appreciated what he did to the team and we felt bad for him but he was the one who was consoling us na we really didn’t fall short for him because if you are going to look at this last conference, that is a small part of his Rain or Shine experience. You have to look at it as the whole 17 years. ‘Yun ang perspective niya,” said Guiao.
Rain or Shine has plans to retire his jersey number 5, with Guiao stating that Norwood's still very much part of the team.
“We actually propose to retire his number as a sign of recognition and respect for what he’s done. I think management will be very willing to do that,” he said.
As for being part of the coaching staff, Guiao said Norwood has always one of the assistant coaches of the ballclub.
“We already assigned him as assistant coach actually. If he wants to retain that position, I don’t think it’s going to be a problem with management. But it’s still unclear what he wants to do now. But he will be welcome to be part of the coaching staff," he said.
"Nasa coaching na rin lang naman siya. I think that’s totally up to him if he wants to be part of the coaching staff."
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