28 Norman Gonzales
Small Forward / Power Forward
Name: Norman Gonzales
Nick Name: Norman
Monicker: N/A
Birthday: May 21, 1976
Height: 6′4″
Weight: 205lbs
Position: Small Forward Second position: Power Forward
Jersey No: 28
Year drafted: Selected by Talk ‘N Text seventh overall along with fourth pick Gilbert Demape in the 2001 PBA rookie draft; Sta. Lucia Realty signed him in the 2004 season as free agent.
Years Pro: 7 years
College: San Beda College
Hobbies: N/A
Hometown: Magalang, Pampanga
Player’s note: Norman Gonzales, 31, is among the league’s toughest sixth man since he entered the league in 2001 because he was known for producing big points, sometimes double-double during his amateur days and while he was in the defunct MBA.
Known also a good defensive stopper inside and outside, Gonzales spent his first two years with Talk ‘N Text before signing up as a free agent to Sta. Lucia Realty.
Gonzales, one of the hardest working players, is also showing an impressive perimeter game, hitting 33 percent from beyond the rainbow territory last season.
A proven veteran who can step up in crunch time and provide quality minutes off the bench as a role player. In the 33rd season, Gonzales was back up to starters Nelbert Omolon and Kelly Williams.
Achievements: N/A
Defining Moments: Gonzales produced career-high 20 points as the Realtors whipped the Alaska Aces last April 7, 2006.
He also had 19 points off the bench when Sta. Lucia Realty won over Welcoat, 112-104, in a double overtime thriller last May 16, 2007.
More about the player: Gonzales was dragged to controversy in the middle of 2003 while playing for Talk ‘N Text and his basketball career went down seemingly.
But instead of giving up, Gonzales proved his innocence and continuously improved his game especially when Sta. Lucia Realty team governor Buddy Encarnado gave him another chance to redeem his sinking career in 2004.
Gonzales took the opportunity with heart. His present numbers compared to his early years are vastly improving well, which also helped the Realtors to register an eighth game win streak, make it to semifinals outright and this conference finals.
Statistics: Last season, he appeared in 27 of 37 games and averaged in 5.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per outing. He was the best three-point shooter (percentage-wise) that time for the team with 36.2 percent clip behind Kenneth Duremdes’ 40.6%.
In the present 33rd Season of the PBA, Gonzalez averaged 5.61 points, 3 rebounds almost one assist and one steal in all the 18 games of the Realtors in the elimination round.
He is also one of the top free-throw shooter of the team averaging 86.91 percent from the line, second only to the 91.67 percent clip of Paolo Mendoza.
