Yeng Guiao pays tribute to retiring ROS lifer Gabe Norwood
At A Glance
- The entire ROS team was naturally emotional as it failed to give Norwood a fitting farewell to his PBA career but head coach Yeng Guiao, nonetheless, paid tribute to the player he deemed as the epitome of loyalty and professionalism.
There could have been no better way to celebrate the retirement of Gabe Norwood than a championship but Rain or Shine fell to the hands of Meralco in the quarterfinals, putting an abrupt end to the veteran forward’s last flight in the PBA.
The entire ROS team was naturally emotional as it failed to give Norwood a fitting farewell to his PBA career but head coach Yeng Guiao, nonetheless, paid tribute to the player he deemed as the epitome of loyalty and professionalism.
“We are just kinda disappointed that we wanted to give Gabe a really good exit. Sayang. But nonetheless, we should still give recognition to what he has done for the franchise the last 17 years,” Guiao said.
“He is the epitome of loyalty and just decency and true to being a professional. Madalas kong sabihin na wala kang mapipintas kay Gabe eh. Wala kang mapipintas kahit sa anong bagay,” he added.
Guiao shared that the team was inconsolable after the loss but he revealed that even in his final post-game meeting with the team, Norwood served as their leader and delivered a heartfelt speech.
"Gabe gave a good speech to the team. He thanked the team. He thanked the whole crew, the ball boys, the coaching staff, and management,” said Guiao.
“And Gabe is not going away. He's just going to be around. That's what he said. So, we appreciated what he did for the team. And we felt bad for him. But he was the one who was consoling us,” he narrated.
Norwood played for 17 years with the franchise and was an integral part of the two championships for the Elasto Painters.
He was also part of two Gilas Pilipinas teams that played in the World Cup with his two dunks against Argentina — one against then NBA star Luis Scola – becoming the biggest highlight of his national team career.
And to honor the loyalty of the player they drafted first overall in 2008, Guiao said ROS is planning to retire the jersey of Norwood.
“We actually propose to retire his number as a sign of recognition and respect for what he’s done. I think management will be very willing to do that,” he said.