Gabe Norwood could be going up to the rafters, according to coach Yeng Guiao. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Coach Yeng Guiao said that there is a plan to immortalize Gabe Norwood's number 5 jersey with Rain or Shine.

The fiery coach said right after what eventually became the high-flyer's swan song in the PBA on Monday night that the team plans to retire the jersey.

"We actually propose to retire his number as a sign of recognition and respect for what he's done, so I think the management would be very willing to do that," Guiao said.

If ever, Norwood's number 5 will be the first jersey retired by the team in its history since buying the Shell franchise back in 2006.

A member of the fabled George Mason squad that made it to the US NCAA Final Four, Norwood was chosen first overall in the 2008 PBA Draft.

The six-foot-six wingman innovated the "point forward" in the PBA as he showed superb playmaking skills too rare for a small forward or a shooting guard, especially during his prime in the 2010s when he led the Elasto Painters to their two championships and became a pivotal part of Gilas Pilipinas.

What makes Norwood's career so special, however, is that he has never left the Welcoat franchise since Day 1.

"I think we should still give recognition to what he's done for the franchise in the last 17 years. He's the epitome of loyalty, decency, and being true to being a professional. Madalas kong sabihin na wala kang mapipintas sa kanya kahit sa anong bagay," Guiao further said.

Norwood announced just at the start of the PBA Philippine Cup that he is retiring at the end of the conference.

The Elasto Painters had a great chance of giving Norwood a deep playoff run in his final hurrah as a player when they earned a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

However, the Meralco Bolts overcame the odds and denied the Elasto Painters their fifth consecutive semifinal appearance, sending Norwood to retirement on a sour note with a 98-89 Game 2 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

"It's a disappointing outcome, but ang basketball ganyan talaga. Naintindihan naman namin. Overall, we finished the elimination round in second place. We got ourselves a twice-to-beat advantage, but we just could not hold on to it. We accept that things like this can happen. We're kind of disappointed because we wanted to give Gabe a really good exit," Guiao further said.

Already listed as a playing assistant coach, Guiao added that they are working on a possibility to keep Norwood in the coaching staff, but this time in a full-time capacity.