The most-awaited international cockfight competition, the World Slasher Cup, returns on January 28 to February 6, 2019 to the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum. Participants here and abroad have been eagerly awaiting the WSC date reveal as they are earnestly preparing their fowl fighters to face their toughest competitors in this gruelling nine-cock invitational derby.

Known to its numerous followers as the Olympics of Sabong, the World Slasher Cup is a smackdown of only the best breeds and bloodlines of winged warriors meticulously cared for in fowl farms here and abroad. The upcoming derby is also a chance for hundreds of hopefuls to outlast and outshine last year’s WSC 2 solo champ, Greengold Uno, owned by sabong enthusiast and newspaper executive Rey Briones and his farm manager Rod Advincula, whose father also has a long history with WSC.

Briones touted his longshot win at WSC 2 in May last year as his “sweetest victory,” given that his entry was deemed an underdog. Proof that this gentleman’s sports is as much about well-trained fowls as it is about luck, Briones used his signature Spartan Black during eliminations and his Sweater Roundheads mixed with Brownred bloodline in the semis and finals, but still felt his birds went up against truly tough competitors.

If he competes, Briones isn’t the only one to beat in WSC 2019. The prestigious derby attracts the best gamefowl enthusiasts and a lot of multiple champs are known to come back to take a shot at the Cup, among them are “sabong idol” Patrick Antonio, who was the solo champ at 2018’s WSC 1. Antonio, who has been a loyal WSC participant, believes the fair fights at the Big Dome give sabong enthusiasts a better chance at the championship.

Antonio wasn’t the only sabong favorite that keeps returning to WSC. Frank Berin also tried his luck anew in WSC 2 2018 after being hailed the solo champ in WSC 1 2017; and won the title again with co-champs Anthony Lim, and the Escolin brothers in WSC 2 2017.

Other notable finishes in WSC 2 2018 were Blue Angels 2 (owned by Dr. Bel Almojera of Florida, USA), Peshmerga Angry Birds Aklan (Jun Tejada/Lawrence Lu), MJ 3 (Marvin Rillo/Migs Lavinia), PE Farms (Pol Estellado), Alqueen Ahluck Camsur (Ricky Magtuto/Rey Tambong), Mulawin (Berin), June 17 Pangasinan (Julia Nicole), and Sulong Maynila (Jojo Alcovendaz).

The foreign contingent composed of cockfighting enthusiasts and top breeders from Utah, California, Tennessee, Washington, Georgia, and Alabama, as well as some counterparts from Asia, are also expected to turn up and keep the competition stiff.

Participants for WSC 2019 may register their entry online at www.worldslashercup.ph. They may also reach the Derby Office at 588-8227 or 911-2928 for more info and registration.

For more info an updates, WSC enthusiasts may follow us on Facebook (@WorldSlasherCupOfficial); visit the website; or email worldslashercupofficial@gmail.com.