Abello bags solo the P2M Iloilo tilt

Negros prominent gamefowl breeder, Nene Abello has just added one more laurel to his long track of excellent records in cockfighting by winning the prestigious P2 Million Annual Chito Tinsay Birthday 5-Cock Derby at the Iloilo Coliseum on June 17 & 18.

The said annual cocking event, which is now on its 28th year is being held every year during the birthday celebration of the legendary, Chito Tinsay, President of Iloilo Cockers Club, Inc., operator of Iloilo Coliseum.

In this year's cocking event his co-host is Fil-Am cocker, Michael Escanlar.

Of the 86 entries that participated in the said competition, Abello fielded two entries, Raffy and Third Eye Raffy. His bred-fowls were so exceptional in their performances that after ten grueling matches during the two-day contest, its opponent could not get one of them to lose.

After scoring nine-straight wins, his tenth scheduled match ended in a draw verdict after the bell rang for the 10-minute regulation time. The Abello bred-rooster has survived all the barrage of its foe shuffling blows, and has valiantly fought back and stayed on despite gravely wounded to the amazement of the spectators.

Abello's first entry, Raffy scored two-straight wins in the elimination round on June 17 and added three more straight victories during the finals on June 18. During the first day of competition, it has convincingly whipped in its first outing that of MS Gemini, an entry owned by Dorie Du and Baby Chua. In fight 59, it registered another spectacular victory by lopsidedly crushing that of Bandera J-Lim Gold Quest, an entry owned by the triumvirate of Raffy Yulo, J. Lim and Junior Cuaycong.

In its first outing in the final round, Raffy clobbered fellow frontrunner Mara F & I of Eddie Boy Ledesma and Bu Warns. The said entry became the first team to score a 4-9, win-loss among the frontrunners by vanquishing Gold Gym of Roy Esmela and T. Calanas. Raffy was pitted against fellow title aspirant, B & A Farm of Benny Ong in its last scheduled match.

Raffy emerged as the clean winner in the said championship match.

Abello's second team, Third Eye Raffy, in tandem with Fil-Am cocker, Mike Escanlar posted two-straight triumphs in the first day of competition by pounding Majestic Farm of Danilo Hinlo and Ram-Jul of Dick de la Cruz.

During the finals, its first victim was the entry of Cels & Gil, owned by the tandem of Celso Javelosa and Al Garcia. It became the third team to score 4-0 (win-loss) card by prevailing over EUD Miswak Coron of Joseph Palanca.

It was its turn to fight another championship match, after it stable-mate, Raffy was figured in the first championship match in fight 55. Third Eye Raffy was pitted against the entry of Ram-Jul, the same entry that it has beaten in the first day of competition.

Unlike in the first day battle which was won by the Third Eye Raffy in an overwhelming fashion, the second encounter turned out to be a close contest match.

The eventful match started with a series of multiple exchanges of blows between the two feathered gladiators. In one of the exchanges, the rooster of Ram-Jul connected what seems to be a fatal blow. Although gravely wounded, that of the Third Eye Raffy furiously countered with a one-two combination that momentarily jolted its foe. With both combatants disabled, the fight was brought to a new height by the vigorous attempt of one another to out do the other.

Abello bred-roosters just won't quit. Although on several points of the game, it was on the verge of collapse due to the wounds inflicted by its foe, it has never shown sign of sulking. Instead, it fought back to the bewilderment of the spectators. Its stamina and staying power was very evident. Two minutes before the time ends, it suddenly had its second wind and almost had the fight in its favor. But like the stuff that it was made of, its foe also bravely stayed on, and survives the 10-minute regulation time.

Kudos to these two exceptional feathered warriors.

The Frontrunners

During the first day of competition on June 17, seventeen teams posted 2-0, win-loss card apiece, while three more teams finished the elimination round with 1 win, 1 draw and no loss tally each.

The five teams that ultimately bid for the top honor during the finals came from the ranks of the elimination round pacesetters. Another title aspirant came from the ranks of the eight entries that have rejoined the competition as re-entry.

The five teams were the entries of Raffy, Third Eye Raffy, A.J. Glock (A. Javier/R. Osorio), Sea Dweler (Elmer David) and Husky Bazura (Boyet Ello). The other frontrunner that came from the ranks of re-entries was the team of B & A Farm (Benny Ong).

Two more teams have also remained in contention after posting 3.5 points each in four outings. Both teams made a bid for a final score of 4.5 points each. These were the entries of ASL Combine (Engr. M. Sabay) and Sparsky (Dorie Du and Baby Chua).

The Finals

In the early going of the finals, two 1.5-pointer teams registered first fight victories. Datu Marikudo-I of Tribu Hiligaynon defeated AJE Farm (Aying); and ASL Combine prevailed over Star Life Aqua (J. Benedicto/A. Aldea).

As the competition moves on, three 2-pointers suffered defeat in their first outings. Mojito (A. Alonday) bowed to Ram-Jul; June 28 Sta. Barbara went down in defeat to re-entry B & A Farm; and 1.5-pointer, Sparsky foiled Dos Bocales.

In the ensuing matches, EUD Miswak Coron crushed 2-pointer, Archer (Al Buco); Sea Dweler became the first team to score 3-0 (win-loss) card by overpowering Alphie ESJ/Montea (Elwin Javelosa/Andrew Montelibano); Raffy won against Mara F & I, to become the second team to score 3-0 card; It's Showtime (Ricky & Jed Yulo) routed Cels & Gil to become the third team to score a 3-0 card; re-entry, The Stag registered its second straight win by toppling 2-pointer, Big Event sa Leganes; re-entry B & Farm likewise scored 2-straight wins after pounding MTV Farm (Bob Tinsay); and Excel (Pempe Tico/Lipid) overturned EUD Miswak Coron.

As the competition moves on to a higher phase, Feathered Cup Signature (Renato Lacson) advanced to the winner's column by outslagging Alphie ESJ/Montea (E. Javelosa/Andrew Montelibano).

Two-pointer, Sama-Sama Together (Allan Timbol) drew its scheduled match against Super Ant Con Mika (M. Del Rosario/I. Ignacio); Third Eye Raffy won unscathed against Cels & Gil, moving on with 3 points mark; Eduardo Cultos (Bebing Macaya) shocked the previously unbeaten entry of The Star; Katrina F & I (Eddie Boy Ledesma/Bu Warns) dashed previously unbeaten Green Valley Game Farm (M. Escanlar/Delgado); Payatas Warriors scored it second straight wins by overturning the winless entry of MTV Farm; and B & A Farm registered its third win in-a-row by overwhelming JR Signature (Renato Lacson).

Husky Bazura advanced with 3 points mark by trouncing Alphie ESJ/Montea; Star Life Aqua bounced back to score an upset against 2-pointer, Harryzona (Dr. Jardiolin); Super Ant Con Mika prevailed over NL Pasalamat (N. Nonaillada); A. J. Glock earned its third straight points by whipping The Star; and Mara F & I bounces back with a spectacular win over 2-pointer Splended JJ.

Raffy lopsidedly crushed Gold Gym to become the first team to advance with 4-0 (win-loss) mark; Ice & Glass (Leo Janay) stopped the advancing Datu Marikduo-I in fight 36, ASL Combine registered 3.5 points mark in four outings after beating winless JR Signature; Ram-Jul scored its second victory in-a-row by defeating scoreless Cels & Gil; and the match between Harryzone and BS Kamagong ended in a draw verdict.

Sea Dweler became the second team to score 4-0 (win-loss) after vanquishing MTV Farm; Eduardo Cultos won another scheduled match after it prevailed against Mina Farm in fight 42; Katrina F & I foiled in stunning fashion the bid of Feathered Cup Signature for a fourth straight win; Ali Louise (Guy Garcia) nudged JTN Antique Combine; Third Eye Raffy convincingly won against EUD Miswak Coron to become the third team to advane to the winning column with 4 points mark; re-entry B & A Farm racked up its fourth straight victory at the expense of elsewhere frontrunner, Green Valley Game Farm; Super Ant Con Mika wrapped up its final assignment with a win against elimination round pacesetter, June 28 Sta. Barbara; and Archer bouned back by overwhelming Big Event Sa Leganes July 1.

Excel scored a stunning upset against 3-pointer, It's Showtime; Dos Bocales bounced back with a clear win against D'Broncos (Jun Hallares); Karin D.S. won a close contest match against Mojito; Alphie ESJ/Montea recovered from three-straight losses by edging out Payatas Warriors who was gunning for a final mark of 4 points; Sama-Sama Together advanced with 3.5 points mark after overpowering Mara F & I in one of the most exciting match; and Husky Bazura joined the group of frontrunners by scoring its fourth straight victory, dashing the entry of Raphael (Totong Pranga).

The first championship match of the competition took place in fight 55, pitting two title aspirants, Raffy and B & A Farms. As stated earlier, the former won against the latter, emerging as a champion with 5-0 (win-loss) mark.

A.J. Glock scored a stunning win against BK Kamagong to become the sixth team to becom a title aspirant of the said competition; Sparsky advanced with 3.5 points in four outings by defeating JR Signature in fight 57; Katrina F & I completed its fight assignments with a final tally of 4 points after trouncing Cels & Gill; and 3.5-pointer Sama-Sama Together last scheduled match with Ali Louise ended in a draw verdict, thus garnering a final tally of 4 points.

Third Eye Raffy championship match with Ram-Jul ended in a draw verdict, thus garnering a final mark of 4.5 points; Feathered Cup Signature garnered a final tally of 4 points after edging out Big Even sa Leganes July 1; and Dos Bocales culminated its fight assignments with 4 points after outclassing 3.5-pointer ASL Combine in fight 64.

NL Pasalamat upset title aspirant Sea Dweler in fight 66; Green Valley Game Farm stopped the winning streak of Eduardo Cultos; AJE Farm upset crowd heavy favorite and title aspirant, Husky Bazura in the last championship match of the competition; and Mojito shocked Sparsky in fight 69.

In the last three remaining scheduled bearing matches, It's Showtime overwhelmed Ice & Glass, concluding its fight assignments with a final tally of 4 points; D'Broncos prevailed against the Archer; and Excel finished with 4 points mark after convincingly beating Gold Gym in the last match of the competition.