X-Factor finally delivers for RoS, series tied

Love him or hate him, Norwood is RoS' X-Factor

He's not the 20 point scorer expected from celebrated Fil-foreigners (Sol Mercado, Joe DeVance), neither is he the rebounding demon in the paint (Rob Reyes, Sonny Thoss), but when he's on his game, Gabe Norwood brings an entirely different monster for his Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

Norwood's heightened activity in yesterday's game helped RoS level the series versus the Powerade Tigers, posting a double double of 11 points and same number of rebounds in what felt like weeks for a player of his magnitude.

That, while playing only 23 minutes and off of teammates who were shooting the ball in rhythm such as Jeffrei Chan, Paul Lee and even the Kargador Corps. (Matias and Rodriguez).

This is what we've been talking about for weeks now, that Norwood doesn't have to be the superstar (though he looks like one) for his team to win. He's most effective off the ball, freelancing, and preferably near the basket and not way out where his high dribble crossovers (effective in the US scene) are suspect to turnovers thanks to the Tigers' pesky pint-sized guards.

In truth, Marcio Lassiter is already expending himself on the defensive end tracking down either Lee or Chan, which leaves no one on the Tigers' roster to really keep tabs on Norwood. This should be exploited to the hilt by RoS not by asking him to go one on one with his defender (Norwood's jumper remains inconsistent, and finesse drives bound to be harassed by the Anthonys, Antonios and Kramers) but to have him circling around the paint for easy rebounds and putbacks.

Teammate Lee has already shown that he doesn't mind passing up on lay-ups if there's an open teammate no matter how far, so Norwood should take advantage of this to the hilt.

Another factor playing in RoS' favor is the return to form of point guard TY Tang and Yeng Guiao's growing confidence on the ex-DLSU King Archer.

Tang has the speed, size and strength to match-up with the Tigers' Celino Cruz, Jayvee Casio (whose exploits Tang knows quite well) and even Josh Vanlandingham defensively while also making his counterparts work in turn because of his knockdown 15 ft Js.

His return has allowed Lee to back-up Chan at the SG position at times, while also- and probably the biggest change of them all- Norwood moves to his natural small forward position where he's naturally faster and more athletic than his counterparts (Antonio, Anthony).

If Norwood continues to put up the all around numbers we've all expected of him, then RoS' young roster is looking at their first PBA Finals appearance.

On a side note, Gary David shouldn't be playing 41 minutes in a blowout loss. Plus, Marcio Lassiter needs to ease up and save his fouls when it counts (biggest key in RoS' Jeffrei Chan's breakout).