MANILA, Philippines - Justin Zialcita belted a two-run home run in the seventh and final inning to power the Red All-Stars to a 7-5 victory over the Blue All-Stars in the 2011 Pepsi Fil-Am Friendship Day Baseball Philippines All-Star Game at the Alabang Country Club last Sunday.
Zialcita’s homer across the left field capped the day’s festivities held as part of the Fil-Am Day celebrations with US Ambassador Harry Tomas gracing the event that featured the best players of Baseball Philippines.
“I was waiting for his off-speed pitch and when I saw it, I just hit it,” said Zialcita, who plays for the Batangas Bulls during his school break at the San Francisco State University in the US.
Manila’s Jon Jon Robles came in relief for the Red team and put the first two batters out. Cebu’s Lorenzo Ubungen was hit by a pitch before Fongs Rances grounded out to put an end to the game and to the All-Star game organized by Community Sports Inc.
The event was sponsored by Gatorade, Rawlings, Harbour Centre, The Heritage Park, Emperador Distillers, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Victory Liner and Clark Development Corp. Other backers are Pepsi, Equilibrium, Ayala Alabang Village Association, Brgy. Ayala Alabang, Dunkin’ Donuts, Lifeline, JBSFP and Integrated Waste Management Inc.
The Red team racked up four runs in the first inning with Manila’s Francis Candela capping it with a two-run double. But the Blue team countered in the fourth behind a two-run double by Taguig’s Denver Largo for a 5-4 lead.
Candela, however, tied the count as he blasted a home run to left center field in the sixth.
The US envoy also led the other baseball officials in honoring the Philippine baseball and softball teams set to compete in various international competitions, including the SEA Games-bound squad, the Phl Habagat, the Phl Razcals, Tanauan City, ILLAM, Team Manila, Phl U18, Phl U12, Lipa Barakitos and Muntinlupa.
Thomas, who wore a t-shirt of Pittsburgh Pirates late great Roberto Clemente, also donated baseball equipment to the Smokey Mountain baseball players.
The league is also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, Philippine Umpires Association and DZSR Sports Radio 918. For details, log on to www.baseballphilippines.com and www.facebook.com/baseballphilippines.