The imports of Blackwater, Eric Dawson and Palestinian Imad Qahwash, are scheduled to arrive next week as the Elite prepare for the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup on July 15.
“They’re both arriving on July 1 but on separate flights. Of course we are very excited to have them on our team,” said Blackwater team manager Jonson Martines recently.
The 6-foot-9 Dawson is a returning import having played for the Meralco Bolts during the 2013 Governors’ Cup where he averaged nearly 30 points, 16 rebounds, 2.82 assists, 3.12 steals and 1.55 shot blocks per game.
The 6-foot-2 Qahwash, a combo guard is best known for his role when the Palestinians stunned Gilas Pilipinas (75-73) in last year’s FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.
The 29-year-old Qahwash scored 17 points and averaged 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals.
The Elite have made the playoff stage for the first time this season during the Philippine Cup, and with Dawson and Qahwash, Jonson said team owner Dioceldo Sy is confident they have what it takes to make the quarterfinals.