here's some old news that shows Norwood's filipino ancestry is on both the maternal and paternal side
CARSON CITY, California. – Team San Miguel-Pilipinas posted its third win in four games Saturday, beating a selection of ABA-USBL players and aspiring pros 98-74 before a weekend crowd of close to 300 Filipinos at the Home Depot Center here.
The game saw Gabe Norwood of George Mason University, whose late grandfather hails from Pangasinan and grandmother Frances Villoria comes from Camiling, Tarlac, suiting up for the Nationals.
The 6-foot-5 Norwood played point guard for GMU which advanced to last year’s NCAA Final Four but failed to make it this year. Norwood flew in from Virginia and joined the Nationals in their 3-on-3 practice last Friday. He also practiced with the team Saturday morning and played later that night.
Inspired by the presence of his relatives, Mark Caguioa opened up scoring with a 3-point shot, before Asi Taulava and Ranidel de Ocampo took turns attacking the hoop as the Nationals took a 12-0 lead, forcing the opposing coach to call an early time-out.
The Americans came back strong behind CCA all-conference member Johntae Vincent and ABA veteran Phil Givens to close out first quarter scoring trailing by six 30-24.
Shortly before the quarter ended, Norwood was fielded in by coach Chot Reyes. Alternating between the point and off-guard spots, Norwood immediately made his presence felt via a thunderous slam off a back pass from Jimmy Alapag that drove the pro-Pinoy crowd crazy. Gabe went on to score on a variety of jumpers while running the offense and passing off for six assists, prompting his teammates to give their ‘thumbs-up’ on his potential as a probable national team member.
The Americans opened the third quarter with a 12-2 run to threaten at 60-54. After a time-out, the Nationals threw a half-court trapping defense that led to successive baskets and gave the RP team a 79-61 lead going into the third quarter. This seemed to take the fight out of the Americans as they never got any closer the rest of the way.
"This team had some great size and talent but was more of an all-star selection and not really a team. Still, I thought we did well in terms of ball movement and over-all effort," said Reyes.
"More importantly, we finally had a chance to see how Gabe fits in with us, and from seeing this game, his work ethic in the weight room and court drills, and his instant rapport with his teammates, I would say that he is a great fit," Reyes added. "He flies back to attend school Sunday night, so it will be interesting to see how we play against legitimate Division-I teams on Tuesday (Cal State Fullerton) and Wednesday (Long Beach State).
The scores:
RP-San Miguel 98– Seigle 21, Caguioa 18, Pennisi 13, de Ocampo 11, Helterbrand 10, Taulava 8, Norwood 8, Raymundo 4, Alapag 4, dela Cruz 2, Ritualo 2. (Hontiveros DNP due to injury)
US Selection 74– Vincent 21, Givens 15, Bewer 10, Yamatz 8, Bryant 8, Meiller 4, Rivers 4, Lawrence 4, Hamilton 0.
i know, if this one wont work,ill be the one to blame. But anyway, I trust him so much!
But not yet sure bout his purpose on coming to the country. 2 reasons: PBL or NT and that's if he's not going to the NBA.
I hate you Kelly Williams, You don't deserve to be in the PBA...COWARD!!!!!