Norwood set to take PBL by storm

Rey Lachica
Manila Bulletin
October 20, 2007

He’s sharper, faster, taller and much better than many PBA players. But Gabe Norwood, the 6-5 Fil-American who entered the national consciousness when he debuted as a member of the Philippine team in the FIBA Asia basketball championship in Japan two months ago, will not be playing in the pro league.

Instead, the 22-year-old will be seeing action in the Philippine Basketball League where he likely will be the undisputed star and top attraction when the PBL begins its tournament tomorrow at The Arena.

And you ask yourself: What’s a guy like him doing in the PBL?

Norwood’s talent is so enormous he was drafted directly from the US to join the RP team without benefit of tryout and only the word of Coach Chot Reyes to rely on.

He was a hit, a star in the making. But no PBA game for him.

A PBA rule that requires Fil-foreigners to have logged at least a total of 25 games playing in the PBL or for the national team deprived Norwood a chance to move directly to the PBA.

He managed less than 10 games with the RP team making him ineligible for the PBA Draft held last August.

Next year, however, will be another story and this early, PBA teams will be looking at him with desire dripping from their mouths as they await for his arrival.

In the meantime, he will get a baptism of fire on the brand of Philippine basketball when he suits up for Hapee Toothpaste which picked him first during draft day last month.

Hapee had gambled on Norwood who was not sure he wanted to play in the PBL. The gamble paid off and Hapee, with Norwood around, suddenly has become a title contender in the semi-pro league.

Norwood played his first scrimmage yesterday at the Manila Bulletin gym where he went through the drill of coach Jun Noel.

It was a satisfying workout for Norwood, the coach and the team.

"They’re great and hard-working," Norwood said after the team’s practice. "It will take a little time before I could adjust to the system of coach Jun (Noel). But it’s fun to be with them."

Norwood, who starred for George Mason University a couple of years back, said he was willing to follow whatever is told of him.

"I’ll play whatever position my coach will tell me," he said.

The 22-year-old arrived Wednesday and a day later, he was in practice, earning kudos from team officials for his work ethic.

"He’s the perfect epitome of a basketball player," said Hapee team manager Bernard Yang who met the player when he came in from the US.

"He’s very humble and a nice person. He’s our guy," Yang said.

Though he was unseen since the last RP team game in Japan, Norwood said he kept in shape with regular workouts and scrimmages with friends.

"I also trained with some friends because I want to be in top shape always," said the 22-year-old whose mother hails from Pangasinan.

Hapee veteran forward Francis Mercado also expects Norwood to be the hottest star in the coming tournament owing to his high-energy and excellent perimeter sniping.

When asked why he decided to go back to the country, Norwood said: "I saw the sincerity of Hapee management in getting me that’s why I decided to come back and play for them."

For this, he thanked Hapee team owner Cecilio Pedro for his trust in him.

"I have to help Hapee Toothpaste before thinking of playing in the pro league. Right now, I’m happy to be back in Manila," he said.