James Yap: Record setter PHOTO BY AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—Experience trumped youth as the Veterans pulled away early en route to a record-setting 176-144 win over the RSJ Sunday night in the 2012 PBA All-Star Weekend at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City.
Two-time MVP James Yap of B-Meg led the way for the savvy Veterans, who led 95-64 at the half, as he set the record for the most points scored in an All-star game with 44 points.
Incidentally, rookie Dylan Ababou of the RSJ also ended up with the same number of points as Yap in a losing cause.
The previous record was 42 points by Samboy Lim back in 1990.
The Veterans’ total output of 176 also went on to break the mark for the highest total points of a team.
Earlier, Barangay Ginebra’s Nino Canaleta soared his way to a fifth Slam Dunk title as he convincingly beat out Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood and B-Meg’s JC Intal in the final round.
Meanwhile, the duo of former PBA star Kenneth Duremdes and Jamie Farinas won the Shooting Stars event held during the game’s halftime.