Gabe Norwood’s 'Last Flight' Soars High as Rain or Shine Escapes Meralco in OT Thriller

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by Cristian Andal

Rain or Shine veteran Gabe Norwood (leftmost) in action against Meralco.
Rain or Shine veteran Gabe Norwood (leftmost) in action against Meralco. Photo: PBA Images.

If this is truly Gabe Norwood’s farewell tour, he’s making sure fans remember every moment of it. 

The 39-year-old Rain or Shine legend turned back the clock on Saturday night, delivering the clutch plays that fueled the Elasto Painters’ gritty 96–95 overtime comeback win over the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

Just days after announcing that this season would mark his “One Last Flight,” Norwood proved he still has plenty of fire left in the tank. With Rain or Shine trailing late in regulation, it was the veteran swingman who forced overtime, grabbing a crucial offensive rebound and calmly tipping it in to tie the game at 90-all with just over a second left on the clock.

That heart, that hustle, that’s vintage Gabe Norwood.

Norwood finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, and countless hustle plays in 29 inspired minutes, reminding fans why he’s been the franchise’s emotional anchor for nearly two decades.

Rain or Shine forward Caelan Tiongson (0).
Rain or Shine forward Caelan Tiongson (0). Photo: PBA Images.

Down 74–87 midway through the fourth, Rain or Shine looked headed for defeat before unleashing a furious 14–2 run, highlighted by Caelan Tiongson’s four-point play that ignited the crowd. After Chris Newsome split his free throws, Rain or Shine’s final possession went awry until Norwood’s heroics sent the game into OT.

In the extra period, Michael Malonzo and Anton Asistio hit timely buckets to put the Painters up 94–90. The Bolts, behind Chris Banchero, kept fighting back, but Rain or Shine’s defense held firm in the final minute as Meralco missed multiple chances to steal the win.

Head coach Yeng Guiao was full of praise for his longtime captain. “Gabe played a really good game today, offense, defense, leadership,” Guiao said. “We could not have won this without him. That tip-in was huge.”

Tiongson led the charge with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while rookie Keith Datu added 11 markers and 7 boards. Adrian Nocum and Andrei Caracut chipped in 10 apiece as Rain or Shine clawed their way back from what seemed an insurmountable deficit.

For Meralco, Bong Quinto and CJ Cansino each tallied 18 points in a losing effort, as the Bolts dropped to 0–2 in the conference.

For Norwood, though, this win wasn’t just another stat on the board; it was a statement. Even on his “last flight,” the captain is still showing everyone how to lead, how to fight, and how to finish. 

The Scores:

RoS 96 – Tiongson 23, Datu 11, Norwood 11, Caracut 10, Nocum 10, Lemetti 9, Asistio 6, Mamuyac 5, Ildefonso 5, Malonzo 4, Clarito 2, Porter 0, Belga 0.

Meralco 95 – Quinto 18, Cansino 18, Almazan 12, Newsome 12, Banchero 9, Bates 8, Black 6, Caram 5, Hodge 5, Maliksi 2, Pascual 0.

Quarterscores: 24-28, 50-44, 70-81, 90-90; 96-95