MANILA – After 17 years of consistency, class, and quiet leadership, Gabe Norwood is hanging up his jersey. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stalwart announced that the ongoing PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup will be his final run, signaling the end of one of the league’s most enduring careers.
The 40-year-old forward confirmed his retirement through a video posted on the Elasto Painters’ social media pages, saying simply, “One last conference. One last ride. One last flight.”
Norwood, who joined the PBA in 2008 as Rain or Shine’s top overall draft pick, has since become synonymous with loyalty and professionalism. A graduate of George Mason University in the United States, he started in the Philippine Basketball League before moving to the pros — where he would spend his entire playing career with just one team.
He helped lead Rain or Shine to two PBA championships — the 2012 Governors’ Cup and the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup — anchoring the team’s defense and serving as its moral compass through highs and lows.
Norwood also left an indelible mark on international basketball. As part of Gilas Pilipinas, he was instrumental in the team’s silver-medal finish in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and their return to the global stage at the 2014 FIBA World Cup, where his poster dunk over Argentina’s Luis Scola became iconic.
Off the court, Norwood’s transition toward mentorship has already begun. Earlier this year, he joined the Gilas Pilipinas Youth coaching staff for the SEABA U16 Championship and the FIBA U16 Asia Cup — a move many see as a prelude to a coaching career.
His retirement marks the end of an era not just for Rain or Shine but for the league itself — one defined by defensive excellence, integrity, and national pride./PN
