PBA: Will Gabe Norwood change his mind about retirement?

Gabe Norwood has just announced Thursday, Oct. 9, his plan to retire at the end of the ongoing PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.

But unbeknownst to many, the Rain or Shine veteran was supposed to retire at the end of last season. 

But the 40-year-old decided against it. 

As it turned out, Norwood still wants to take a last shot at All-Filipino glory before calling it quits.

“Another chance at the All-Filipino. It's rare that you get back-to-back chances, right? Last conference, and now to start the season,” Norwood told reporters.

[RELATED STORY: PBA: ROS coach Yeng Guiao hopes Gabe Norwood rethinks retirement]

Gabe Norwood sees action during Rain or Shine's Game 2 semifinal match against TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup last June 27. | File photo: RM Chua/One Sports

Since joining the Elasto Painters as the top overall pick in 2008, Norwood has only won two championships — the 2012 Governors’ Cup and the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.

Norwood, his long-time teammate Beau Belga and their coach, Yeng Guiao, have yet to win an All-Filipino title.

“I just wanted to try and get one more for the organization, for Coach Yeng (Guiao), his first All-Filipino and for myself as well. We'll see what happens,” Norwood added.

[RELATED STORY: Looking back at Rain or Shine icon Gabe Norwood’s decorated PBA career]

Norwood's all-important tip-in

In the Elasto Painters' thrilling 96-95 win over Meralco in the ongoing Season 50 Philippine Cup, Norwood showed he still got it after scoring on a tip-in that sent the game into overtime.

Norwood wound up with 11 points, three rebounds and a steal.

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“That was fun. Got a couple more, see if we can keep it as exciting as possible. But this was an awesome game,” said a teary-eyed Norwood.

“I’m not going to get emotional now; I'm going to leave that for later. But [it was] a good first win for us.”

Will Norwood change his mind once again about hanging up his sneakers? Is there a chance that he would stay a little longer?

“I’m pretty firm on it, but I'll just try to enjoy it while I can,” Norwood said with a smile.

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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.