MANILA, Philippines – Agusan del Sur Gov. Eddie Bong Plaza, co-champ with three others in the 2014 World Slasher Cup 2, leads the local contingent that tries to stand the challenge of a formidable foreign cast as the 2015 World Slasher Cup Eight-Cock Invitational Derby unwraps Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Plaza’s EP Naligayan June 10-2 bet seeks a second straight victory after ending five years of runner-up finishes in sharing the championship with Arjay Mea, Rene Adao and James Wolf with identical 7-1 win-loss records in June last year.
Gov. Ito Ynares, Charlie “Atong” Ang, Cong. Patrick Antonio, Gerry Ramos, Gov. Claude Bautista, Cong. Rudy Albano, Mayor Cito Alberto, Boy Jiao, Wilson Ong and Nestor Vendivil are among the local topnotch participants in this year’s event that drew 360 entries from around the world.
Bernie Tacoy, Peping Ricafort, the father and son tandem of Jet and Joel Fernando, the Madlambayan brothers, Jun Bacolod, Edward Pe, Raymond Velayo, Eddie Araneta, Jun Topacio, Joey delos Santos, Felix Trebol, Henry Osea, Beng Joson, Rolly Gabon, Henry Tan and the Oribello brothers are also fielding their renowned bets in the eight-day event adopting the 2-2-4 format.
Three separate two-cock eliminations will be held from today to Monday, followed by the two-cock semifinals on Tuesday to Thursday.
Those who chalk up 2.0 to 3.0 points face off in the four-cock pre-finals on Jan. 31 while those who garner 3.5 or 4.0 points move to the four-cock grand finals on Feb. 1.
The foreign bets include Carol Nesmith of Alabama, Skinny Joel of Texas and his Mel Simms aces, Mark Salazar of Malaysia, Ed Arreola and Carlos Camacho of Guam, Ray Roberto of Saipan, Reymund Canet of Texas, Charles Tetlow of Louisiana and Kini Kaiwaaia of Hawaii.
Hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions, the annual cockfighting spectacle also attracted participants from Japan, Mexico, France, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Mea’s RJMDMM Tiaong-BL, Adao’s Lucky Chances BJRA and Wolf’s Ises-Chams JM gained a piece of the championship last year, half-a-point ahead of Abello’s Dominador Super Antique Bacolod 98, Attorney Capuchino’s Arc-Deong-Oliver-1, Tony Marfori’s UFCC Swing WWW-5, Eddie Araneta and Lito Cay’s Liza Galore-D’Captain LC, Antonio’s Sagupaan Ready to Fight and Felix and RC Gatchalian’s Green Monarch Archers-1.
Also making the winners’ circle with 6.0 points were MJ Junlip of Marvin Rillo and June Lipnica, Red Bull of Carlos Tumpalan, Enzo Batan Viper of Atty. Salazar and Joey Sy, AAO Hyper B-12 Saldo of Noel Jarin and Antonio Bautista, Binan Five-Cock June 26 El Nido of Dicky Lim and Boy Martinez, Baypman Pawarak 888 Hearthrob of Mayor Baba Yap, Red Archers of Felix Gatchalian and RB Archers of RC Gatchalian and Roy Brady.