Gabe Norwood scored a tip-in late in regulation before Rain or Shine preserved a come-from-behind 96-95 overtime victory over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at Ynares Center II here.
Two days after announcing his desire to retire at the end of the conference, Norwood came through off Adrian Nocum’s miss with 1.2 seconds left in the fourth that evened things up at 90-all. Rain or Shine would eventually take control in the extension before stopping Allein Maliksi’s shot before the horn to end a thrilling start to its all-Filipino campaign.
The 40-year-old Norwood posted 11 points and three rebounds in a great start to his retirement tour. Coach Yeng Guiao later said Norwood was supposed to call it quits after last season, but opted to have one more run at it.
Caelan Tiongson was also huge for the Elasto Painters by posting 23 points and 10 rebounds and also had a hand in the comeback from double digits in the fourth. His four-point shot cut the Meralco lead to 89-88, before Chris Newsome split his two foul shots, missing the second, that set the stage for Norwood’s tip. Tiongson also scored a sort of insurance basket that extended Rain or Shine’s lead to 96-93, with over two minutes to go in overtime.
Bong Quinto and CJ Cansino scored 18 points apiece but the Bolts dropped to a 0-2 start.