As Rain or Shine lifer Gabe Norwood is set to retire, One Sports lists the PBA legends who similarly played for just a single franchise.
Gabe Norwood will retire as a Rain or Shine lifer.
Since being selected as the top overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft by the Elasto Painters, Norwood has donned the same jersey in the league.
[RELATED STORY: Looking back at Rain or Shine icon Gabe Norwood’s decorated PBA career]
The 11-time PBA All-Star will now go down as a league legend who played for a single franchise his entire career.
While he is not the only one to do that, that list of players who pulled off a Kobe Bryant or Dirk Nowitzki is rather short.
One Sports lists some of them.
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Harvey Carey — TNT
Harvey Carey played for the TNT franchise for 17 years.
There, he averaged 6.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
The 6-foot-3 forward, who provided mostly the intangibles for every TNT iteration he suited up for, had seven championships under his belt before calling it quits after the bubble in 2020.
His jersey was retired in 2023.
[RELATED STORY: Harvey Carey immortalized as TNT officially retires his jersey]
Bal David — Ginebra
Bal David was chosen by the Sunkist Orange Juicers in the 1995 PBA Draft.
But the third round pick only played for Ginebra from 1996 to 2005.
The former University of Santo Tomas star won two championships (1997 Commissioner’s Cup and 2004 Fiesta Conference) with the league's most popular team.
Hector Calma — San Miguel
From 1986 to 1994, Hector Calma ran the point for San Miguel.
The member of the league’s 50 Greatest Players helped the franchise cop nine championships, including a Grand Slam in 1989.
[ALSO READ: Hector Calma shares which contemporary PBA baller reminds him of his style of play]
After retiring, he focused on his family and business before returning to the league in 2002 as the team manager of Coca-Cola, and then, the Beermen.
Jayjay Helterbrand — Ginebra
Before appearing in the legends’ games around the world and seeing action in the MPBL, Jayjay Helterbrand rose to fame as a Ginebra superstar.
Though he had a hiatus in 2003, Helterbrand played 16 seasons with the Gin Kings,where he won six championships and a Most Valuable Player award.
Samboy Lim — San Miguel
Samboy Lim was drafted by the SMB franchise in 1986 and spent 10 seasons with them.
There, the late great made a name for himself as the “Skywalker” who steered the team to nine championships before retiring in 1997.
He is also a Grand Slam champion, a PBA Hall of Famer and a member of the 50 Greatest Players whose jersey No. 9 was retired by the Beermen.
[ALSO READ: How does Jamie Lim keep her father’s legacy alive in the PBA?]
Mark Caguioa — Ginebra
Mark Caguioa became a household name right off the bat.
An unknown coming into the PBA, Caguioa endeared himself to Ginebra fans right away with his stellar play and his blond hair.
The third overall pick in 2001 collected nine titles, an MVP plum and a Rookie of the Year award in a career that lasted until 2020.
He holds the record for playing the most seasons with one franchise.
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Alvin Patrimonio (Purefoods)
One of the most recognizable faces in the PBA only played for Purefoods.
Alvin Patrimonio spent his entire career with the franchise he led to six championships.
From 1988 to 2004, the “Captain” forged his legacy by winning four MVPs — tied with Ramon Fernandez at second for players with the most number of the said award.
Patrimonio, among the league’s 50 Greatest list, is currently the team manager of Magnolia.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.