Gabe Norwood confirms PBA retirement after PHL Cup Conference

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

A living legend is set to hang up his jersey right after the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Conference ends.

On Oct. 9, 2025, Rain or Shine icon Gabe Norwood announced that he would retire from the PBA, bringing to a close an illustrious 17-year career marked by numerous on-court successes and off-court humility.

“Basketball has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember it,” Norwood said in a video posted on his official Instagram account.

“From playing Division I basketball with George Mason University, to proudly wearing the Pilipinas jersey with Gilas, and finding a home with Rain or Shine in the PBA. The journey has been nothing short of incredible.”

Selected as the first overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft, Norwood immediately made an impact at Rain or Shine, delivering dunk highlights that regularly made the league’s top 10 plays of the week.

Athletic, explosive, and a notable defensive linchpin who wreaked havoc in the U.S. NCAA tournament, Norwood became a key cog in Rain or Shine’s PBA campaign.

After 17 fruitful seasons in the PBA, Norwood led the Elasto Painters to two championship titles in the 2012 Governors’ Cup and the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.

The celebrated star also collected numerous awards, including the PBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, three PBA Sportsmanship awards, and 11 PBA All-Star selections.

Aside from his PBA greatness, Norwood also turned heads on the international stage and was part of the historic Gilas Pilipinas roster that defeated Korea during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. A year later, he represented the country in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Norwood was widely praised for his work ethic and tremendous leadership skills, the main reason Rain or Shine hired him as part of its coaching staff despite still being an active player on its roster.

“That’s why today, I want to share with you all, that this Philippine Cup, will be my last,” added Norwood.

“One last conference, one last run, one last flight.”