World Cup Slasher kicks off tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines –  The much-awaited 2011 World Cup Slasher I, attracting over 250 topnotch game fowl breeders from around the world, finally gets underway tomorrow at the Big Dome.

Filipino Sonny Magtibay goes for back-to-back championship in the prestigious event set for six days on Jan. 17-19 and 21-23.

Exciting competition is expected in the WCS-I which drew the participation of renowned American breeders Roger Roberts, Ray Alexander, Wilber le Blanc, Carol Nesmith and Jorge Goitia.

Other foreign bets are Mar Gatmaitan and Sedfrey Linsangan from Guam, Mark Salazar from Malaysia and Mike Formosa from Hawaii.

Magtibay, Biboy Enriquez, Gov. Ito Ynares, Sonny Lagon, Gerry Ramos, Philip Chiongbian, Boy Marzo, Raymond Velayo and Cong. Claude Bautista head the local list.

The Araneta Coliseum management said cockfighting aficionados will get to see the action up close with their newly installed “Big Cube.”

It’s a giant four-squared LED board hanging in the middle of the Big Dome, giving spectators more excitement in watching the matches.

Held twice a year, the World Slasher Cup has grown tremendously from its initial count of 60 entries when it was first staged in the 1960s.

Hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions and co-presented by Thunderbird-Univet, B-Meg and Sagupaan, the six-day event, long considered as the Olympics of cockfighting, is expected to attract thousands of derby aficionados in the country.

For ticket inquiries and other details, log on to www.aranetacoliseum.com or www.ticketnet.com.ph.