Gabe Norwood said he had no regrets calling it quits after 17 years in the PBA, all with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
With his Rain or Shine teammates surrounding him and revelling in his illustrious career, a teary-eyed Gabe Norwood hoisted the championship trophy at the end of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Well, at least that’s how Norwood envisioned the end of his 17-year PBA career with Rain or Shine would be.
Unfortunately, the Elasto Painters blew a twice-to-beat advantage against Meralco, which advanced to the semifinals after a 98-89 win last Dec. 29.
“Pretty overwhelming, to be honest. I mentally, in my mind, pictured this different. I thought it was going to be a championship. You know, kind of more joyful situation,” said Norwood after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Still, the blessings outweigh the despair for Norwood, who won two titles with Rain or Shine is six Finals appearances.
“But I've been blessed. I can't complain at all. Yeah, just overwhelmed. A lot to process,” he added.
The 40-year-old had no regrets leaving the game knowing he left it all on the court, be it for Rain or Shine or Gilas Pilipinas.
“I tried to leave it all on the court. I tried my best to get everything out of this 40-year-old body. And leave it out there,” said the Rain or Shine lifer, who finished with three points, two rebounds, one assist, and three steals in 22 minutes.
“I’d like to think I did pretty well at the end of the conference. I tried to help our team as much as I could.”
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Now that he has all the time in the world, Norwood said he will make up for lost time with his family first and foremost.
Coaching is on the horizon as well. But Norwood said the priority will be becoming a full-time dad.
“We'll see. Probably a lot more sleep. That's for sure. I want to definitely stay around the game. With Batang Gilas as of now. See where that goes, coaching side,” he said.
“But ultimately, I've got to be the best dad I can be, put my kids in the best situation they can be in to grow as young men. Maximize their talents and what they're into. So, that's my first priority.”
He added: “And then, anything after that is just icing on the cake. So, family first and figure out the basketball side.”
Is he staying with Rain or Shine to join coach Yeng Guiao’s staff? Norwood said that’s a conversation for later.
“I think that's a conversation to be had. Probably take this time off to mentally decompress a little bit. I think Boss Raymond (Yu) and the management is out of town right now,” he said.
“So, hopefully we'll be able to sit down and just see what's on the table… I already told the guys as long as I'm around, I'll stop by and check in anyway. So we'll see what happens.”
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports Digital)
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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.