DURING this year’s All-Star Weekend, this writer asked on X/Twitter what was their favorite moment in the midseason extravaganza. Among a few who responded, two moments included the only times that the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors stood out against the Veterans during the All-Star Game.
For the record, the Veterans have mostly dominated in All-Star Games, winning seven out of the nine times against RSJ when the format was placed. Let’s recall the two times that the PBA youngsters went home victorious.
1996
The first time the Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors won the All-Star Game was on July 28, 1996, when they won over the Veterans, 131-115, at the Cuneta Astrodome. The RSJ cast was a stacked one that would eventually become the future of the PBA with Kenneth Duremdes of Sunkist winning the MVP. Duremdes had 12 of his 16 points in the third quarter that turned the game into a rout.
The Veterans squad wasn’t a bad team at all with the starters composed of Johnny Abarrientos of Alaska, Bong Alvarez of San Miguel, Vergel Meneses of Sunkist, Samboy Lim of San Miguel, and Jerry Codinera of Purefoods.
But it was RSJ’s night to shine.
Marlou Aquino also led the RSJ squad with 22 points in the win. Aquino is part of the RSJ starting five that also had Ginebra players in Bal David, Noli Locsin, and Vince Hizon. The team was also coached by no other than Robert Jaworski.
1997
The Rookies-Sophomores-Juniors made it two in a row in the mid-1990s when they beat the Veterans, 126-123, in a close match on July 25, 1997, at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The win was sealed with Bal David stealing the ball away from Dindo Pumaren in the final moments. David later won the All-Star Game MVP.
The RSJ team coached by Norman Black still had the likes of 1996 MVP Kenneth Duremdes, Marlou Aquino, and Jeff Cariaso.
Duremdes led the early onslaught of RSJ with a 21-7 lead, but the Veterans were able to keep the game competitive with Vergel Meneses manning the charge.
David made crucial plays for RSJ, nailing two free throws with 26.5 seconds to play for a 124-123 lead, along with the deflection against Pumaren that led to an easy deuce to settle the final score.
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