Rain or Shine management has amended the contract of veteran forward Gabe Norwood, giving him instead a three-year deal as the two sides agreed to terms yesterday after the team’s practice session.
No less than co-owner Raymond Yu divulged the development, which would increase Norwood’s maximum contract from P10.08 million to P15.12 million with a maximum P420,000 monthly pay.
“We think that he’s still peaking with his game,” said Yu, who co-owns ROS with Terry Que. “Gabe has also been sincere and loyal to the team, that’s why we decided to amend his contract.”
“We’re also confident that Gabe will be more aggressive this coming season,” added Yu.
Appreciative with the contract revision, Norwood, a many-time national team member, said he’s just excited to still be donning the only uniform he has worn in the past eight years of his career.
“I’m excited to continue to be part of this team and look forward to what we can achieve,” said Norwood.
A member of George Mason University basketball team that made a surprise appearance in the US NCAA basketball tournament Final Four in 2006, Rain or Shine picked the 6-foot-5 Norwood as the No. 1 overall selection during the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft.
Norwood, an incoming nine-year veteran, has career averages of almost 10 points per game with 5.53 rebounds, 2.87 assists and 1.09 steals. He has been a regular in the league’s All-Defensive Team.
He is expected, however, to be more aggressive on the offensive end with the departure of Paul Lee and JR Quiñahan, who were dealt in separate trades to Star and Globalport, respectively.
The team will also have a new mentor in Caloy Garcia, the former assistant coach who has been appointed by management after veteran coach Yeng Guiao opted not to renew his contract and instead signed with NLEX last month.