The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
IT was the fitting way for Rain or Shine to honor the person who played his entire PBA career wearing the Elasto Painters jersey.
The Welbest franchise retired the no. 5 uniform of guard Gabe Norwood in a special ceremony held Friday night at halftime of the Commissioner’s Cup game between Rain or Shine and Converge at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The 41-year-old Norwood was presented with his framed flaming Rain or Shine blue and yellow at mid-court, where he was joined by wife Lei and their kids, co-team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que, board of governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon, commissioner Willie Marcial, close friends Chris Ross, Simon Enciso, and Sol Mercado, and players of both Rain or Shine and Converge.
“We are here to honor an exemplary human being and a great athlete who ever played the game we all loved. We have here tonight no other than Mr. Gabe Norwood,” said Rain or Shine team alternate governor Emerson Oribiana, who was given the privilege to introduce the first player whose jersey was retired by the franchise.
“We will not forget your leadership that gave us two championships, we will not forget you wearing the Gilas Pilipinas jersey, who broke the Korean curse right in this same venue, and we will not forget how you posterized Luis Scola.”
A product of George Mason University, Norwood was tabbed as the no. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft by Rain or Shine, where he spent his entire 17-year career in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league.
“I hope I brought joy and excitement to your lives when you’re tune in to watch. I prayed that I carried myself in a way honorable to represent the country,” said Norwood, who tried to overcome emotions as he was saying his short speech during the retirement service.
“Just extremely grateful for the opportunity to come out and compete.”
Norwood also made special mention to the entire Rain or Shine organization under the tandem of Yu and Que, the late Welcoat matriarch Margaret ‘Mommy’ Yu, deputy coach Caloy Garcia, who was his first coach in the PBA, along with coaches Yeng Guiao, Chot Reyes, Tab Baldwin, and Chris Gavina.
Of course, big shout out too, was given by the former Gilas Pilipinas team captain to the Bayang RoS.
“To just come out and put on a show for the crowd, thank you so much. I pray that you all continue to support the PBA, continue to support Rain or Shine,” said Norwood.