Blackwater has opted to bring in a former PBA import the Elite will have as reinforcement the versatile Eric Dawson in the season-ending Governors’ Cup starting July 15.
A 6-foot-9 forward who previously played for the Meralco Bolts, Dawson is scheduled to arrive July 1, although Blackwater team manager Jonson Martines conformed a deal between the two parties.
“Ok na ‘yun, done deal na,” said Jonson yesterday. “Maganda ‘yung pinakita ni Dawson when he first played in the PBA, so we’re optimistic na matutulungan niya ang Blackwater.”
“Maski na three years na din ang nakalilipas, we’re optimistic na maganda pa papakita niya kasi bata pa naman saka kaka-laro lang nya sa tournament abroad so yung skills anjan ‘yan.”
“What’s important is mabalik lang yung condition niya, ‘yung game shape niya. One month din kasi siya hindi naka-laro e. So ma-regain lang niya ‘yung condition, I think maganda ang ila-laro niya,” added Jonson.
The 31-year-old Dawson, who went undrafted during the 2007 NBA Rookie Draft, has been a journeyman having played in different parts of the globe – his last one in Paris, France.
It was in 2013 when Dawson played for the Bolts, helping the team reach the quarterfinals where they lost to Star Hotshots (formerly San Mig Super Coffee) in a best-of-three series.
In the 17 games he played for Meralco, the native of San Antonio, Texas – who briefly played with the Spurs in 2012 – averaged nearly 30 points, 16 rebounds, 2.82 assists, 3.12 steals and 1.55 shot blocks.
Dawson will team up with the Elite’s Asian import Imad Qahwash, a 6-2 guard who scored 17 points when Palestine stunned Gilas Pilipinas (75-73) in last year’s FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.
Blackwater is hoping to get to the playoffs anew for the second time this season since its first stint during the Philippine Cup. The team of coach Leo Isaac remains formidable with mainstays Carlo Lastimosa, Mike Cortez and PJ Erram leading the charge.