Veteran star Gabe Norwood has officially closed the curtain on his illustrious 18-year professional basketball career in the Philippines. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters cornerstone announced his retirement from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) at the age of 40, just days before the end of 2025.
The Final Buzzer: An Emotional Farewell
The announcement came on Monday evening, December 29, 2025, following his team's season-ending loss. The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters fell to the Meralco Bolts, 89-98, in a knockout quarter-finals game for the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Fighting back tears, Norwood addressed the league he called family for nearly two decades.
"For me personally, I just want to thank Rain or Shine, played for just one organization my whole career, only called one place home," Norwood stated in an official release on the PBA website. "It's special to me. They took me in as a son back in 2008 and it's been family the whole way through."
A Legacy Forged in Loyalty and Excellence
Norwood's journey is a remarkable story of loyalty and sustained high performance. A product of NCAA Division 1's George Mason University in the United States, he entered the PBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft, selected by Rain or Shine. He never wore another PBA jersey.
His trophy case and accolades tell the story of a complete player:
- 2009 PBA Rookie of the Year
- Two PBA Championships (2012 Governors' Cup and 2016 Commissioner's Cup)
- Seven-time PBA All-Defensive Team member
- 11-time PBA All-Star, including 2010 All-Star MVP
- Three-time recipient of the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award
More Than a PBA Star: A Pillar for Gilas Pilipinas
Norwood's impact extended far beyond the PBA's courts. He was a long-time fixture and defensive stalwart for the Gilas Pilipinas national team, representing the Philippines in numerous major international competitions for over a decade. His length, athleticism, and professionalism made him a key asset for the country on the global stage.
Reflecting on his unique career path, Norwood emphasized the familial bond with his only PBA team. "It's a special situation, it's not transactional. You just sign on the dotted line and it's over. It's family at Rain or Shine. And that's what has been for me," he explained.
With his retirement, the PBA bids farewell to one of its most respected and enduring figures, a player whose loyalty and defensive prowess defined an era for the Rain or Shine franchise and inspired a generation of Filipino basketball fans.
