BEIJING -- Gabe Norwood knows all too well that his future with the Philippine men's national basketball team is cloudy, after the veteran struggled through much of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Norwood was participating in his second straight World Cup, but unlike his stint in Seville in 2014, the highlights were few and far between for him this time around. In Spain, Norwood made headlines for his jaw-dropping dunks, including one where he posterized Argentinian star Luis Scola.

In Foshan and Beijing, however, Norwood was inefficient on offense, though he worked as hard as ever on the other end. It wasn't until the Philippines' final game against Iran that he made his first field goal -- a three-pointer. He finished with just six points in the whole tournament.

When asked if this will indeed be his last hurrah for Gilas, a subdued Norwood said: "I don't know, I don't know."

"The way I played this tournament probably doesn't help my argument at all," he admitted, after Gilas absorbed a 95-75 defeat to Iran ensuring that they would end the World Cup without a single victory.

"I let a lot of people down, nobody more than myself," Norwood added.

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Norwood, who served as Gilas Pilipinas' captain for this competition, was disappointed at his own inability to contribute the way he knew he could. He averaged just 17.7 minutes per game, alternating duties with Troy Rosario.

Throughout five games, he took just 13 shots, and made only two of them.

"It's painful to be in this situations, you know what I mean?" he said.

Still, the 34-year-old Norwood would not completely close the door on his future with the national team.

"It's just what it is, but we'll see. We'll see what the future holds," he said.

"If I'm healthy and still an asset, why not?"

If this is indeed the end of Norwood's time in the national team, he believes that he is leaving the program in good hands. Norwood has been part of the squad since 2007, and has had his share of heartbreaks and highlights. He has seen the program change and grow, and got to witness a new generation of players step into the spotlight in this year's World Cup.

"Since 2007, you know… there's no telling how many opportunities you're gonna get," said Norwood.

"If this is my last, I'm extremely proud of guys like this guy right here (Robert Bolick), CJ (Perez), Kiefer (Ravena), Troy (Rosario), Roger (Pogoy), Raymond (Almazan), all the younger guys of this group," he added.

Norwood is looking forward to watching these players -- and some of the Philippines' other up-and-coming stars -- in 2023, when Manila hosts the World Cup.

"You gotta get the best players available, ready in the next four years. We have a lot of young talent in our country, our youth program is doing really well," he said.

"It should be interesting to see how the groups play out and everything. But I think you can look forward to a very hospitable and fun atmosphere in Manila."

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