World Slasher Cup goes bigger, better

MANILA, Philippines -- The World Slasher Cup 8-Cock Invitational Derby goes bigger and better as it adopts an 8-day format for the first time in its rich history, unfolding Monday until Friday resumes on Jan. 27 and 28 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Considered as the Olympics of cockfighting, the event has attracted a record field of 380 entries spread from different countries including cockfighting hotbeds Spain, the United States, Guam and Saipan.
Among the participants are some of the world's renowned rooster-raisers like Ray Alexander of Alabama, Wilbert LeBlanc, Richard Harris and Charles Tetlow of Louisiana, Randy Hall of Texas, Atty. Ed Arreola of Saipan, Jorge Goitia of California and 2012 Slasher champion Mark Salazar of Malaysia.

Also in the list of this event hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions and sponsored by Thunderbird Bexan XP, Sagupaan Complexor 3000, Supremo Gamefowl Feeds, B-Meg and Petron, are American cocker-breeders Skinny Joel, Keith Cargill and Richard Wilburn.

Lined up starting at 10 a.m. on Day One is a two-cock elimination round for the first of three batches of competitors with some 125 matches on tap while batch two take one each other in Day Two while the rest of the field face off on Wednesday.
Newly-crowned Bakbakan 11-Stag Derby winner Bebot Uy and Mark Salazar will attempt to join Engr. Sonnie Magtibay and Gengen Arayata as the only Bakbakan and World Slasher Cup champions in history, while three-time Slasher titlist Dicky Lim and Rey Briones gunning for an unprecedented fourth crown.

The local challenge is expected to come from Nene Araneta, Gov. Ito Ynares, Charlie "Atong" Ang, Cong. Patrick Antonio, Engr. Sonny Lagon, Gov. Claude Bautista, Cong. Rudy Albano, Mayor City Cito Alberto, Boy Jiao, Wilson Ong, Nestor Vendivil, Bernie Tacoy of Ormoc, Peping Ricafort, Gov. Eddie Bong Plaza of Agusan del Sur, Madlambayan brothers, Jet and Joel Fernando, Raymond Velayo, Eddie Araneta, Jun Topacio, Joey delos Santos, Gerry Ramos, Felix Trebol, Beng Joson, Oribello Brothers, Rolly Gabon and Henry Tan.