THE second edition of 2017 World Slasher Cup Invitational 9-Cock Derby sizzles on May 22 to 28 at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pintakasi of Champions, host of the illustrious derby, made the announcement recently in response to queries from local and international participants.
Many participants, including the foreigners that joined the just concluded WSC 1, have expressed their intent to join in May and want a longer preparation, the group said.
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 Oklahoma 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 May event’s format: 2-cock elimininations on May 22 and 23; 3-cock semifinals on May 24 and 25, with a 4-cock pre-finals on May 26 and 27, and 4-cock grand finals on May 28.
Frank Berin, recently hailed solo champion of the WSC 1, has been joining the WSC since 1995 using the popular entry Mulawin of former Rep. Rudy Albano, and recently the Sebastian entry with his brother Greg of Australia.
About 5,000 aficionados witnessed the cliffhanging battle where Berin’s NEJ Sebastian entry outlasted the bird fielded by ARC March 10.
Joey Melendres of Australia ( Swerteng Anak, 7.5 points ) lost his championship fight against Marvin Millo’s super bulik, but vowed to compete again in May after experiencing a warm welcome from other sabungeros.
“Melendres and all the foreign participants marvelled at how the Filipino cockers improved tremendously, and this is seen in the World Slasher Cup,’’ said WSC media partner Manny Berbano.