Rain or Shine set to retire Gabe Norwood’s No. 5 jersey

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters will honor Gabe Norwood with a jersey retirement ceremony, the franchise announced on its social media pages on April 6, 2026.

Having worn the iconic No. 5 jersey since being drafted first overall by Rain or Shine in the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft, Norwood announced his retirement on Oct. 9, 2025.

Following the Elasto Painters’ quarterfinal series loss to the Meralco Bolts during the last All-Filipino Conference, Norwood officially played his final game as a professional basketball player on Dec. 29, 2025.

Although it was not the fitting ending Norwood imagined, the two-time champion and Gilas Pilipinas legend received a shower of love from his head coach, Yeng Guiao, his teammates, the entire Meralco crew, and everyone who came to witness the last time he donned the Rain or Shine jersey.

“He is the epitome of loyalty and just decency and true to being a professional,” Guiao said of Norwood.

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 award 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, as 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.

Since hanging up his jersey, Norwood has remained relevant in the PBA, appearing in several analyst/commentator roles for the league while also continuing a podcast with Jared Dillinger and Solomon Mercado.

“5 forever,” Rain or Shine posted on Facebook.

“A player who defined an era. A true Rain or Shine legend. A legacy that will never fade. Join us this April 10 as we celebrate the career of Gabe Norwood and officially retire his jersey.”