FIFTEEN years after capturing the prestigious World Slasher Cup crown at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum, former gamefowl handler Frank Berin wrested the solo championship anew last Wednesday.
Berin’s entry, NEJ Sebastian, tallied 8.5 points to rule the field that had 306 participants in the WSC 2017 editon.
James Uy of Manila and Paolo Malvar of Tarlac, who posted eight points each last Sunday, bagged runner–up honors.
The World Slasher Cup remains the premier cockfighting derby in the country and has become the most prestigious all over the world.
A participant from Oaklahoma said he flew to the country just to compete this year, thrilled that the derby is being held in “one of the biggest facilities (for cockfighting) in the world,” he said of the Big Dome.
John Seider, who also flew in from the States, noted of WSC, “It’s the toughest place to be in.”
A guy known to many repeat participants as Stickman, also from the US, agreed. “Your participants here (in WSC) are only the best of the best. If you don’t have good roosters, don’t come to the Slasher,” he declared.
The last two championship fights on Wednesday turned out to be cliffhangers, according to WSC media partner Manny Berbano.
Australia’s Joey Melendres (Swerteng Anak) lost the first championsip duel and finished with 7.5 points.
Luck smiled on the NEJ Sebastian entry after outlasting ARC March 10 in the next fight amid the jubilation of 5,000 aficionados.
Day 2 and Day 3 finalists Gov. Tony Kho and Alex Alea, respectively, tallied 7.5 points each and fell one point short of the title.
Supported by Thunderbird, B-Meg, Petron and Excellence Poultry and Livestock Specialists, with Pit Games Media Inc., this year’s WSC is hosted by Pintakasi of Champions.