MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine is scheduled to retire Gabe Norwood's no. 5 jersey in a ceremony this coming Friday when the Elasto Painters face the Converge FiberXers at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The team made its official announcement on Monday at its social media accounts.
“5 Forever. A player who defined an era. A true Rain or Shine legend. A legacy that will never fade. Join us this April 10 at halftime of the Rain or Shine vs. Converge game as we celebrate the career and officially retire the jersey of Gabe Norwood,” the Rain or Shine official social media account stated in its post.
The amiable Norwood officially retired at the close of the team’s PBA Philippine Cup campaign late last December.
The 41-year-old Norwood spent his storied 17-year PBA career with Rain or Shine, where he was selected no. 1 overall in the 2008 Rookie Draft.
The former George Mason U standout, a known lockdown defender and playmaker, helped the franchise win two PBA championships—the first during the 2012 Governors' Cup and the 2016 Commissioner's Cup.
Norwood played a total of 674 career games where he went on to average 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
He was an 11-time All-Star and a seven-time All-Defensive team member.