It has been a smashing first week for the Philippine Basketball Association and its 50th season. So far, we’ve seen old faces in new uniforms, a new team getting its first win, and a singular player announcing his impending retirement. There are many great stories in the season so far, but three of them stand out.
After Titan Ultra registered its first win as a new franchise thanks to a career-high 41 points against the Meralco Bolts, The Beast fell to injury. This opened the door for the Converge FiberXers to get a whopping 37-point win Saturday night. That set a new standard for the franchise’s winning margin, also a new record for a debuting head coach, Pampanga Vice-Governor Delta Pineda. Moreover, Juan Gomez de Liaño tallied the first triple double by local rookie in his first game: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists. It was also the first triple double by a rookie since Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra nine years ago.
Gomez de Liaño is, of course, a proud product of the University of the Philippines who was the 2017 UAAP Rookie of the Year and a PBA D-League Most Valuable Player. After a season in the Japan B League, Juan became the first first Filipino to play professionally in Europe. He joined the BC Wolves in the winter of 2022, but unfortunately was playing the same position as one of their imports. After that, Juan spent two years in Korea before being drafted second overall by Converge.
Another story overlooked by the mainstream media is the return of former UE Red Warrior James Martinez to the league. In 2011, he was drafted by the Powerade Tigers, hoping for a long and fruitful career with the league. When the Tigers were bought out by GlobalPort, the following season, Martinez was released. Since then, he became a journeyman of sorts, making his mark in Thailand, Malaysia, and other southeast Asian countries, often for three to six months at a time. Even at age 38, James is still able to dominate in leagues overseas. He had a couple of chances to return, but they fell through. Martinez finally got his wish to return to the PBA 13 years later, ironically, with Titan Ultra, whose roots are from his original team.
‘I couldn’t believe it. I’m here to provide quality minutes,’ he says. ‘ I’m not young anymore, so I don’t expect heavy minutes. I want to be an inspiration to younger players. Do not give up on their dreams. If you just keep going, you will get there eventually.’
Lastly, of course, is the announcement of Rain or Shine veteran Gabe Norwood that he was retiring after this conference. The two-time PBA champion and 11-time All-Star played for the George Mason University Patriots team which made the US NCAA Final Four in 2006. He first came to the Philippines as a member of an Athletes in Action selection that played against schools like the University of the Philippines.
In 2007, the 6’6′ guard/forward was selected first overall by Rain or Shine, where he has played since. Norwood and Beau Belga are the only two players left from the Elasto Painters’ last PBA champion squad in 2016. Norwood also built his name with Gilas Pilipinas, and is known for his level-headedness and sportsmanship. We will be sad to see him go. But coaching is now calling.
What a colorful first week it’s been for the PBA.