Norwood: Will he or will he not?

Business Mirror
October 31, 2007

ALL is not yet lost for Gabe Norwood to suit up for the national team in the coming 24th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Thailand this December.

PBL Commissioner Chino Trinidad had a heart-to-heart talk with the six-foot-five Filipino-American last Monday and told BusinessMirror Norwood might wear the national colors after all.

“I sat down with him yesterday [Monday] and asked him if he feels like helping the national team. Sabi niya sa akin, pag-iisipan niya ulit at mukhang malaking possibility na maglaro siya for the national team,” Trinidad said.

“Ako naman, ayokong mag-dictate upon anyone at obligahin ang sino man na maglaro sa national team. Sabi ko lang sa kanya, search yourself, talk to your family and ask your handlers if he still feels playing for the team,” Trinidad added.

The Harbour Centre-backed RP 5 was in constant communication with 22-year old Norwood after the player’s stint with the national squad that played in the FIBA Asia tournament last August in Tokushima, Japan.

After the Beijing qualifier, he promised to play anew for the RP team in the SEA Games but since he returned from the United States, he opted to join the Hapee team that drafted him in the last PBL draft.

But Norwood, in a separate interview, said that no one from the national team is communicating with him regarding his stint for the RP 5.

RP 5 head coach Junel Baculi said before that the team welcomes all kind of help and the talent and skills of the former George Mason University standout are definitely a big boost to the squad.

Baculi also mentioned that with or without Norwood, the team is capable of defending its crown in the men’s basketball event of the biennial meet.

And Trinidad shared the same view.

“Feeling ko mananalo ‘yan,” said Trinidad when asked if the Filipino dribblers can go all the way in the tournament sans Norwood.

Though the possibility of losing is always there, the PBL chief mentioned that he’s ready to live and die with the wards of Baculi.

“Pinabayaan namin ang team to have a life of its own. When we were forming the team, where were they? These players made themselves available,” said Trinidad. “If the coaching staff feels that they need help, they have to do that.”

Aside from Norwood, San Beda College’s Ogie Menor and Pong Escobal were eyed by Baculi to be part of the squad but their school did not release them due to academic reasons.

Baculi already has 12 players in the team currently playing in the on-going PBL tournament but he can still change the lineup during the managers meeting on the eve of the basketball tournament of the SEA Games.

And Norwood’s inclusion in the roster got a big boost after Trinidad’s dialogue with Norwood, though the PBL chief reiterated that the final decision is on Baculi’s hands.

“We all have agreed before that the selection for the SEA Games will be entrusted to Junel Baculi. The coaches will be given the free hand to select the players they needed for the national team,” said Trinidad.