Antonio guns for ninth title

THE POPULAR “Idol” of Philippine cockfighting, Rep. Patrick Antonio, guns for an unprecedented ninth title in the World Slasher Cup 8-Cock Invitational Derby this Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Four of Antonio’s “National Barkadahan Sagupaan” entries ruled the semifinal sessions, scoring a perfect four wins each to lead the qualifiers in Sunday’s 4-cock finals.

One of Antonio’s unbeaten entries is in partnership with Cebu’s Victor Sierra while the three others came from his Sagupaan Gamefarms, known for superior Sagupaan Reds.

With eight championships already under his belt, Antonio is the winningest in WSC history, according to the Big Dome’s Dong Lamoste.

Today’s prefinals features 104 entries, with scores of 2, 2.5 and 3 points.

Only two entries so far from the prefinals went on to share the title with the perfect (4-0) scorers from the semifinals of the derby with Sagupaan Complexor 3000, Thunderbird Platinum, B-Meg and Petron as major sponsors.

All undefeated entries with scores of 3.5 or 4 points will vie in the grand finals.

The championship hopefuls from last Thursday’s third semifinal session with 4 points: “RJM 888 Ducati” of Jess Muradaz, “Rivermount” (Engr. Rhemy Medrado), “FTE Guam” (Ferdie Eusebio-Robert Balajadia-Osang dela Cruz), “Cherish Wild Cat Thunderbee” (Chito Umali-Dan Alivio-Atty. Art de Castro), “UHQ 144” (Jessymin Raquid-Angkoy Montano), “671 Silent Move-Shia Zayde-2” (Ramon C. Montierro).