What started as a simple proposal has received approval, as Rain or Shine is preparing to immortalize Gabe Norwood’s legacy with the franchise he helped build.
The Elasto Painters will be retiring the recently retired cager’s jersey no. 5 this Friday during halftime of their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup game versus the Converge FiberXers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Just an appropriate recognition and honor for Gabe Norwood,” offered head coach Yeng Guiao Wednesday night after their 116-112 escape from San Miguel at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to collect their fifth win in as many outings.
The champion bench tactician himself disclosed their motion to retire Norwood’s jersey after the latter played his final game, a 96-89 defeat to Meralco in the Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals last December 29.
“We actually proposed to retire his number as a sign of recognition and respect for what he’s done,” he was quoted as saying back then.
Guiao was optimistic that the team’s top brass would be warm to the idea. And true enough, they will push through with the rites, which will coincide with the league’s 51st anniversary games — and in a venue so dear to ‘The President.’
Yeng Guiao pushes to immortalize Gabe Norwood’s Rain or Shine legacy with jersey retirement
The MoA Arena was where Norwood and Gilas broke the so-called ‘Korean Curse’ back in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. There, the team beat Korea in the semis to bring the Philippines back to the FIBA Basketball World Cup after 36 years.
And on Friday, the place will become all the more special for the 41-year-old. He will see his jersey retired by the team where he spent the entirety of his PBA career and steered to two titles — which Guiao says is only right and just.
Because for the multiple-time Coach of the Year, the Elasto Painters’ history would never be complete without mentioning Norwood.
“Ang history ng Rain or Shine would be parang Norwood era, tsaka post-Norwood era,” he said.
“Parang ‘yun ang kwento ng Rain or Shine ngayon eh, ‘no? Naging marker siya ng kuwento ng franchise ng Rain or Shine.”
The jersey retirement, he added, won’t just be about honoring the legacy Norwood left in Rain or Shine. It is also a nod to his character, which made him admired not only by his peers but by generations that came after him.
“Appropriately, kailangan talagang bigyan siya ng recognition, ng honor,” said Guiao, who also coached Norwood in the men’s national team.
“Not just because he’s a great basketball player, but because he’s a great human being.”
