With Gabe Norwood retiring at the end of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine is determined to gift him a fitting sendoff.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters begin their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup campaign against Meralco on Saturday, Oct. 11.
The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
[RELATED STORY: Looking back at Rain or Shine icon Gabe Norwood’s decorated PBA career]
For Gabe Norwood, this conference is not just another chapter in his career; it's a farewell tour. The veteran forward, who was the top overall pick by Rain or Shine in the 2008 PBA Draft, announced that he would retire at the end of the conference.
Norwood has been a cornerstone of the Elasto Painters' success for years, and it would be poetic for him to cap his illustrious career with a third championship.
As the team enters the tournament with the memory of four consecutive semifinal exits, the Elasto Painters are more determined than ever to bring home a title for their seasoned leader.
While all eyes will be on Norwood’s emotional journey, the Elasto Painters will rely on Gian Mamuyac, Adrian Nocum, and Santi Santillan to carry the scoring load.
These rising stars will need to step up to support Norwood’s leadership, especially against a Meralco squad eager to recover from a shocking opening defeat to Titan Ultra.
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In addition to their strong core, Beau Belga will be back in action after missing most of last season’s Philippine Cup due to vertigo. Belga's return adds depth and experience to a team that aims to break through after their consistent postseason near-misses.
As Rain or Shine embarks on this title quest with Norwood's retirement looming, every game takes on extra significance, making their opening game against Meralco even more crucial as they look to get off to a strong start.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]