Gabe Norwood was a big reason why Rain or Shine is still alive in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Elasto Painters were facing elimination in Game Three of the semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen. But veteran swingman stepped up on both ends down the stretch, to deliver the 112-104 win and save his side.
Norwood first drilled a corner three-pointer – all over the defense of import Chris McCullough – with 1:11 left to play, turning a two-point deficit to a 105-104 lead for Rain or Shine. That was the only triple he made in the night.
“Felt good. That’s the only one I hit,” admitted Norwood, who missed his first two treys. “I’ve been shooting the ball better this series than I had all conference, even in the quarterfinals.
“I’m just shooting it with confidence and letting it go.”
Then when McCullough tried to will his team back in the last 30 seconds by attacking inside for a lay-up, Norwood timed things nicely and blocked the former NBA cager. Refs then called McCullough for traveling as he tried to regather after the block.
“I’m just trying to be in the right place and make him work for shots. He had fifty-one, you know. It wasn’t like we played great defense on him the whole night,” said Norwood with a chuckle, as McCullough dropped 51 markers in the loss.
Norwood, though, gave full credit to al the Elasto Painters for averting a sweep in the best-of-five series.
“It’s a great team win,” said Norwood, who had 11 points. “You know, guys stepped up. Beau [Belga] made a big shot. Rey [Nambatac] played well. C-Mo (Carl Montgomery) played consistently all the way through.
“We got to do that again.”
The Elasto Painters nearly let lightning strike twice when they squandered an 18-point second quarter lead. Rain or Shine losing hold of big leads had become the trend, after all, especially in this series.
But for Norwood, he felt that the Elasto Painters have learned their lessons well. “I like to think we’re just learning from our mistakes now,” said the 34-year-old, whose side lost a 29-point lead back in Game Two.
One lesson they learned, said Norwood, is handling the ball better.
“We did a good job bouncing back in the first half. From fifteen turnovers in the first half, I think we only had two in the second half. I think that helped us get the win,” he said.
“Valuing more possessions, that’s how we got the win.”
Game Four will be on Friday, still at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, which gives Rain or Shine a chance to put San Miguel on the ropes. Still, for the 11-year pro, he feels like the pressure is now off the Elasto Painters.
“The pressure’s off us. They say the hardest game to win is the close-out. So for us, right now, we’re just gonna play loose, continue to trust each other, and see what happens.”
