Record field vies in World Slasher

MANILA, Philippines - The best breeders and fighting cocks in the country and around the globe compete against each other in the 2012 World Slasher Cup starting next week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A record field of more than three hundred is seeing action in the Jan. 16-22 semi-annual event dubbed the “Olympics of Cockfighting” that began in 1962 through the efforts of Don Amado Araneta.

Last year’s winners of the event, Patrick Antonio (Sagupaan B-50), Rey Briones (Spartans DR-1), Boy Jiao & Ito Ynares (June 14 NCA Big Event Ynares Arena 220K Pot) and Rikki Reyes (@PR Knights Rian WRN) lead the local entries vying against foreign fighters from Japan, Germany, France, Malaysia, Guam, Saipan, and the United States.

“Once you compete here in the World Slasher Cup, it means you’re fighting against the best,” said Tessa Mangahas, public relations and corporate communications manager of the Araneta Group Inc. during the first hosting of the PSA Forum for the year 2012 Tuesday at Shakey’s UN Ave.

The World Slasher Cup, now celebrating its golden year, kicks off on Jan. 16 with the two-cock eliminations, followed by the second half of competitors taking on each other for their own preliminaries on the 17th.

The two-cock semis for Group A then follows on Jan. 18, followed by the semis for Group on the 19th.

The Group A four-cock finals will be held on Jan. 21, and the Group B finals will be on the 22nd.

Mangahas added in the same forum presented by Smart, PAGCOR, and Shakey’s that it would be an honor if boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao would also grace the event, although she said she’s not sure if the Sarangani province representative’s entry qualified.

Last year, Pacquiao, a known cock breeder himself, fielded an entry and graced the awarding ceremony of the event hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions presented by B-Meg Derby Ace and Thunderbird Feeds.

Among the confirmed foreign participants include Roger Roberts (Georgia), Ray Alexander (Alabama), Kali Casco (Hawaii), Larry Romero, Jason Campbell, Sedfrey Linsangan (Guam), Jorge `Goy’ Goitia (California), among others.