Eric Dawson rebounds over Keith Benson. PBA IMAGES/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines – Meralco import Eric Dawson has the number 35 plastered on his jersey simply because of NBA superstar and three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant.
Dawson looked every bit of his “favorite player” Friday night when he erupted for 57 points to lead the Bolts to a crucial 102-92 win over Petron Blaze in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Fantastic game. I was also amazed. I haven’t seen anything like it for a long, long time especially with the advent of scouting reports, the strength and weaknesses you don’t expect a guy top score 57 points but I thought Petron did their job defensively but Eric was just on fire,” marvelled Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio. “I think it’s an understatement if I say that he had a good game. I really thought he brought us in his shoulders and towed us to victory in tonight’s game.”
“We got a great coaching staff that works with us night in and night out, you know they tell us don’t be afraid,” said Dawson, whose scoring output was the league’s highest since Derrick Brown also had 57 for the defunct Sta. Lucia in the Realtors’ 99-120 loss to San Miguel back in 2004 according to PBA head statistician Fidel Mangonon.
What’s more impressive with Dawson’s scoring output was its efficiency as he took only 34 attempts – all in the two-point area – and missed just 14. He also went 17-of-22 at the line and collected 14 rebounds, four steals and three blocks in 40 minutes.
“To be honest with you, I really wanted him to hit 60,” added Gregorio. “But just a testament to him being a team player, he asked to be subbed inside one minute so that the other guys can play and of course we’re playing Ginebra on Sunday so that’s also forward looking and that’s a testament to how this player really thinks, he’s a team player despite (the fact) he can take over the game and score 57 points, it’s nice to have players, imports like this. Unbelievable.”
The six-foot-nine Dawson, whose previous personal-high was 41 when he played with the Austin Toros in the NBA D-League, went to the bench with 41.1 seconds left as the Bolts coaching staff stood up to give him a well-deserved applause.
The last player to reach the 60-point plateau was Askia Jones of then Shell Turbo Chargers while the previous season-high was when Air21’s Nino Canaleta scored 41 in the Express win over Global Port last conference.
“But the key to our success really was playing loose that is what I’ve been telling all the players all along that we can’t be too stressed to find ways to win. I think with the dynamics of our team, it is really just play loose, play relaxed and you have to have fun,” added Gregorio.
And as the Bolts found ways to win, Dawson found the bottom of the net.