2012 WORLD SLASHERS CUP-2 OPENS TODAY AT THE SMART ARANETA COLISEUM

BOY MARZO & CONG. WACNANG

 RICKI REYES & EDDIE APARRI

ATTY. ART DE CASTRO & RUEL RICAFORT

Cockfighters from all over the planet focus their attention again on the Philippines – the undisputed center of the cockfighting world, as the battle for the most coveted title in the game dubbed as the Sport of Kings hits the limelight starting at ten in the morning today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when the 2012 World Slashers Cup-2 8-Cock Invitational Derby opens with the first of two scheduled eliminations (May 14 & 15) wherein no less than 180 tough entries will try to draw first blood before the competiton enters the semi-final stage. Up today are 81 exciting matches set to start at 1:00 p.m.

This event serves as the second of two golden year offerings of the Slashers which began in 1962 initiated by Don Amado Araneta.

To rage from May 14-20, the 2012 World Slashers Cup-2 which is hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions in cooperation with Thunderbird Bexan XP - gamit ng mga tunay na kampiyon Thunderbird Romoxtyl – tatayo ang manok mo, present a much-awaited war of speed, power and accuracy among the world’s most battle-tested breeds of fightingcoks like the Sweaters, Kelsos, Roundheads, Hatches, Clarets and Lemons among others.

The big question is whether newspaper executive Rey Briones, who has won the title three times including back-to-back victories in June 2011 and January 2012, will be able to achieve what has never been done before – a rare threepeat.

Hostilities begin on May 14 with the first batch (Group A) of about 100 entries in their 2-cock preliminaries followed on May 15 by the 2-cock eliminations of the rest of the participants (Group B). The 2-semis happen on May 16 for Group A and on May 17 for Group B. All those with scores of 2, 2.5 or 3 points from Group A lock horns again on May 19 for the 4-cock pre-finals, while all undefeated entries (3.5 & 4 pointers) together with Group B’s 2, 2.5 and 3 pointers face-off on the 4-cock grand finals on May 20.

Leading the locals with Briones are Philippine Federation of Gamefowl Breeders (PFGB) President Wilson Ong of Octagon Game Farm will be fielding an all-Hennie (binabae) line-up. A one-time WSC winner, Ong will be joined by his friends Ricki Reyes (June 2011 WSC winner) and Nueva Ecija’s Nestor Vendivil (Oliver) who is determined to hit the jackpot this time after three bridesmaid finishes in the Slashers.

Among the favorites are reigning Bakabakan champions Allan Siaco of Laguna and Gov. Eddie Bong Plaza of Agusan del Sur, 2-time WSC winners Dicky Lim, Biboy Enriquez, Claude Bautista, Max & Bebot Roxas, Pol Estrellado, Boy Lechon, former champion Boy Marzo (Bulalayaw), Biboy Enriquez, Gov. Ito Ynares, Jorge Torres, Eddie Aparri & Atty. Art de Castro, Coun. Marvin Rillo with Ruel Ricafort and Atong Ang.