Sourced from: SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star Updated January 06, 2012 12:00

It started in 1962 when Don J. Amado Araneta hosted the inaugural World Slashers Cup at the Big Dome. Now, on its 50th year, the prestigious Olympics of Cockfighting will celebrate its golden anniversary with a record-breaking cast of over 300 entries on Jan. 15-22.

Prestige, national pride and bragging rights are at stake in the derby which will pit the country’s top cocks against foreign breeds from Japan, Germany, France, Malaysia, Guam, Saipan and the US. Leading the charge for the locals are Patrick Antonio, Rey Briones, Boy Jiao, Ito Ynares and Rikki Reyes. They were all champions in various events last year with Antonio lording it over 274 entries in the first of two World Slashers Cups last January. 

Among the foreigners expected to compete are Roger Roberts of Georgia, Ray Alexander and Tyrone Kennedy of Alabama, Kali Casco, Mike Formosa and Chris Casilan of Hawaii, Larry Romero, Jason Campbell and Sedfrey Linsangan of Guam, Jorge Goitia, Jorge Torres, Jeff Hudspeth, Rodel Costales and Zaldy Sandoval of California, Zosimo Antivo of Las Vegas, Clarence Perkins of Kentucky, Martin Barla and Jose Carcillar of Chicago, George Berin and Peter Uren of Australia, Tony Ang of Taiwan and Randy Hall of Texas.

The foreigners include US-based Filipinos who remotely maintain gamefowl farms here and continuously send top-rated breeding stocks to upgrade their stables. The stocks come from the farms of renowned breeders like Bruce Barnett, Dink Fair, Carol Nesmith, Larry Romero, Brad Padgeth, Allen Hinds and Speedy Gonzales.

The event is being staged by the Pintakasi of Champions presented by B-Meg Derby Ace and Thunderbird Power Feeds. It promises to be the biggest and most competitive cockfest ever held in the country. In 2009, the January edition of the World Slashers Cup listed 207 entries. A year later, it was up to 240. Last year, the cast ballooned to 274. Now, the lineup has gone over 300.

Hostilities begin on Jan. 15 with the first set of entries in the two-cock eliminations. The second set of cocks will then face off on Jan. 17. The two-cock semifinals for Group A is scheduled on Jan. 18 while Group B is on Jan. 19. The four-cock finals for Group A is on Jan. 21 and for Group B on Jan. 22. For details, contact Boy San Pedro or Dong Lamoste at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Tel. No. 911-3101.