Norwood reunites with US NCAA teammate at Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Starting Thursday against the Alaska Aces, it’s like 2006 of the US NCAA Final Four again for Gabe Norwood as he will be reunited with his former George Mason University teammate – Jai Lewis. Lewis, an adept athlete in basketball, football and baseball, will team up with Norwood once more, this time to strengthen the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ campaign in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference. Lewis arrived Sunday night to replace Charles Clark III. Lewis and Norwood previously joined forces at George Mason University, carrying the Patriots all the way to the Final Four. The 27-year-old Lewis was the Patriots' premier inside force in their US NCAA drive. Playing power forward, he averaged 13 points and led the team in rebounding with 7.5 caroms per game and blocked shots (31 in one season). Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said they’ve patiently waited for the availability of Lewis, who played recently in Israel. “Lewis is a big man and a former teammate of Norwood so he won’t feel like a stranger sa team namin," said Garcia. “More importantly, I think he will provide the inside presence that we sorely lacked." Raymond Yu, Rain or Shine’s co-team owner, told GMANews.TV that should Lewis pass the PBA's measurement, he will make his debut in the Elasto Painters’ next game. Aside from basketball, the wide-bodied, 6’6 forward has a passion for football and it came as no surprise he pursued a career in the National Football League playing for the New York Giants. After his NCAA season, Lewis worked to prove he could play in the NFL either as an offensive tackle or a tight end. He worked out for five teams—the Oakland Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles, the St. Louis Rams, the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Giants. A true all-around athlete, Lewis also suited up for the Rera Kamuy Hokkaido, this time as a baseball player in Japan. –GMANews.TV