It’s rare nowadays for 40-year-old Gabe Norwood to see extended playing time. After all, as the saying goes, Father Time is undefeated.
But it doesn’t mean Norwood won’t put up a good fight. In fact, he’s always ready to give Father time a run for his money. And it happened on Sunday as the many-time Gilas standout played 38 intense minutes to help the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters upset the Meralco Bolts, 128-116, in the continuation of the 2024–25 PBA Philippine Cup.
Norwood, though, didn’t just play. He actually put on a vintage performance of sorts, firing 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting on top of 5 points, 1 dime, and 1 steal. He even had a dunk—a Gabe Norwood specialty in his prime years in the PBA—in the second half to punctuate his fine play.
For the soft-spoken, always affable Norwood, his vintage performance was all about repaying the overflowing trust Yeng Guiao and the rest of Rain or Shine has placed on him.
“Just really try to take care of my body, take care of my soul, get as much rest as I can. I just try to contribute,” Norwood said in the postgame presser on Sunday. “Coach trusted me out there today to play longer minutes than usual, and I had to reward him, had to reward my teammates, the management, for the trust they put in to me. So, I just try to play to the best of my abilities and we got the win.”
Do-It-All Gabe Norwood Is Always Ready, Says Yeng Guiao
Gabe Norwood’s inspired play might be a surprise to some but definitely not to Guiao, who has been through so many wars with his prized forward.
“We had to use Gabe for 38 minutes today because of the necessity. We usually do not do that to Gabe. He’s gonna age faster if we do that,” Guiao joked before turning serious. “But sometimes, it’s necessary, sometimes the situation calls for it, and he’s ready. It’s just whatever role or whatever the situation calls for, that’s why we call him or army Swiss knife. Gabe’s able to give you whatever you need at certain situations.”
The necessity Guiao was alluding to is Rain or Shine’s lack of bigs as Beau Belga and Keith Datu are yet to see action for the Elasto Painters in this Philippine Cup due to injury. This problem was exacerbated with Caelan Tiongson missing the Meralco game due to back spasms. Because of this, Guiao went to Norwood even as he acknowledged that the reed-thin Fil-Am has slowly transitioned into a different role for Rain or Shine.
“Gabe’s role is more as an assistant coach, as a leader of this team. He knows the players, the coaches inside-out. That’s the knowledge accumulated through the years of just knowing everybody, knowing the style of play and being able to gain the respect of everyone,” Guiao pointed out.
Gabe Norwood isn’t complaining either way. In fact, he called the extended playing time “a blessing” as he got to play the game he loves most in front of his family, his kids, and the Rain or Shine crowd.
Yes, Norwood won’t be playing 38 minutes every game anymore. But look for him to be ready the next time Rain or Shine needs him to do so.
