All eyes on Norwood as Hapee faces San Mig

Malaya
October 27, 2007

FIL-AM Gabe Norwood will be put to another tough test today when Hapee Toothpaste battles San Mig Coffee in a match-up between two unbeaten teams in the PBL V-Go Extreme Energy Drink Cup.

The Sparklers and Coffee Kings have similar 1-0 slates in a three-way tie for second place with defending champion Harbour Centre. The winner of the 4 p.m. game at The Arena in San Juan will join idle Toyota Balintawak (2-0) on top of the heap.

The 6-foot-5 Norwood, a former George Mason University stalwart, played for the San Miguel-sponsored national team that finished ninth in the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship last August in Japan.

"I’m looking forward to this game. It’s going to be fun. I’m here to help my team to win so we’ll definitely have our hands full," said Norwood, tabbed by the Lamoiyan franchise as the No. 1 pick in the last PBL Rookie Draft.

Norwood debuted without much fanfare, finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds as Hapee beat Mail & More 80-74.

The Coffee Kings also won their opening game in the tournament co-presented by Xtreme Magic Sing and supported by Gerry’s Grill, ACCEL, LED multi-display, Suzuki Motors, Spalding and Gold’s Gym, beating newcomer Pharex 68-65 but will go into the game from a week-long break.

"Of course, Norwood is a concern for us, but Hapee is not just all about him," said San Mig Coffee coach Koy Banal, noting the Sparklers also have in their fold the likes of Mark Borboran, Reed Juntilla, Larry Rodriguez and Roel Hugnatan who can all pose match-up problems.

"But definitely, it’s not going to be an easy outing for us," added Banal.

The other game features the RP men’s team against winless Bacchus Energy Drink.

The Nationals, whose stint is being funded by Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero as part of their preparations for the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December, evened their card at 1-1 with a 94-84 thrashing of Mail & More last Tuesday.

That victory somehow eased the pain of the RP squad’s stinging 83-74 loss to defending champion Harbour Centre in their first game.

"We played like an all-star team nung unang laro namin. So I kept reminding the boys that we’re not an all-star team but the national team. Paunti-unti, nakaka-adjust na rin sila," said coach Junel Baculi, whose squad is a virtual selection of star players from different collegiate teams.

The Raiders are bidding to make it to the win column after losing to the Toyota Balintawak Road Kings in their opening game 78-81.