Norwood sets pace in PBL MVP race

If he sustains his pace, Fil-Am Gabe Norwood of Hapee Toothpaste could be on his way to becoming the Philippine Basketball League Most Valuable Player.

The 6-6 Norwood figured on top in almost all departments after six games, putting him in the early lead in the race for the league’s highest individual plum in the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup.

The former George Mason standout led in scoring with an average of 15.5 points a game and had the most number of field goals (5.0), two-point shots (4.2) and free throws (4.7) made in each and every game he played so far in this conference.

Norwood, a member of the RP team that snared the gold medal in last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, also made his presence felt in defense, emerging with the best norms in total rebounds (8.0), defensive rebound (6.5) and steals (2.7).

Norwood is currently No. 3 in steals with 5.5 steals a game, barely behind the 5.6 by co-leaders and Pharex teammates Don Villamin and former pro Ronnie Bughao. He is also in the top 10 in shot blocks with one per game.

“He’s a natural leader, hard worker and very intense defensively,” said Hapee coach Louie Alas referring to his talented guard, who logged in a conference high 34.5 minutes per outing.

“He just have to be more aggressive offensively, he needs to look to score sometime. He’s still adjusting to it because of his point guard mentality, he likes to create and pass than shoot first,” said Alas.

Crowding Norwood for the MVP plum are Christian Luanzon of Bacchus Energy Drink, Emer Oreta of Pharex, Jason Castro of four-peat champion Harbour Centre and Hapee teammate Mark Borboran.

Luanzon averaged 15.1 points a game while Oreta, Castro and Borboran normed 13.7, 13.4 and 13.2 points per game.   – Joey Villar