Norwood signs pact with Hapee quintet

Malaya
October 14, 2007

Hapee team manager Bernard Yang yesterday said Fil-Am Gabe Norwood, who played for the national team in the ABC men’s championship in Japan last August, has signed a contract with the Teeth Masters and is arriving either on Tuesday or Wednesday in time for the opening of the PBL Conference on Saturday.

Norwood sent the signed contract via fax last week from the United States but Yang refused to discuss details, although a team insider said the contract would be good for at least two conferences.

There were fears Norwood, a former standout of George Mason University in the US NCAA, would not be able to play in the PBL after reportedly signing a contract with a team in the more lucrative European league. He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Teeth Masters in the recent PBL draft.

Under the PBL salary cap, a rookie like Norwood can get a maximum of P15,000 a month. Malaya gathered, however, that during his stay here, Norwood would be provided free housing plus a service vehicle, not by Hapee, but by patrons who are backing his bid to join the pro league in the near future.

Meanwhile, the league will hold a one-day pre-season tournament today at the Arena in San Juan.

Except for Bacchus Energy Drink and the Philippine training team currently in South Korea, six other teams–Harbour Centre, Toyota Balintawak, Hapee Toothpaste, Burger King (Lina Group of Companies) and Pharex—will take part in the one-day event.

"This will give the teams a chance to scout their rivals," said Commissioner Chino Trinidad.

Clashing in the opening game at noon are San Mig Coffee (formerly San Miguel-Magnolia) and Burger King, followed by the Hapee Toothpaste-Toyota Balintawak showdown at 2 o’clock.

Harbour Centre, bidding for its fourth straight title win, takes on newcomer Pharex at 4 o’clock.

Jason Castro, Beau Belga, Jonathan Fernandez, Chad Alonzo and Eric dela Cuesta will not be around but the Batang Pier are expected to unravel a surprise package in Mercado Solomon.

The 6-foot-1 Mercado, according to a team insider, is an exciting player with a sure shot from the perimeter.

Four players from University of the East will reinforced Bacchus, San Mig Coffee has Ateneo’s Ford Arao to lean one, and Toyota Balintawak has a mixture of youth and experience provided by a mixture of Letran and Jose Rizal University stars.

Even Burger King and Pharex have players who are capable of exploding at any given day.