Impeccable Perps notch 5-peat, record 8th

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help extended its reign to another year as it ruled the 89th NCAA Cheerleading Competition for a fifth straight championship and eight overall before a huge crowd at the MOA Arena in Pasay City yesterday.

Like in the past seasons, the Altas Perps performed everything possible – from tough routines and acrobatic stunts to awe-inspiring multiple tosses – as they bucked one minor slip midway through routine to earn the nod of the judges.

At the end of the competition, the Las Piñas-based cheerleaders came through with the best aggregate score of 480.8 points, edging an overachieving Arellano U squad and Mapua, which wound up second and third with scores of 468 and 460.5, respectively.

Lyceum came out impressive with a clean, bedazzling routine but failed to land in the top three, setting for fourth with 450.5 points.

Rounding up the one-day competition were Jose Rizal (426), Emilio Aguinaldo (420.5), St. Benilde (415.5), Letran (384.5), Letran (384.5), San Beda (329.5) and San Sebastian (279).

It was another emphatic performance for the Altas, who topped the event for a record eighth time since the country’s oldest league staged the sport over a decade ago.

“We dedicate this championship to our school, Perpetual Help, for supporting us all the way. We couldn’t achieve this without them,” said Perpetual Help coach Ruf Vandolph Rosario, who has engineered all of the Altas’ eighth titles.

Rosario said they made sure they made their routines and stunts harder and tougher this year.

“We want to challenge ourselves that’s why we did our best to triple or quadruple our effort this year,” he said.

Next for Perpetual Help is the National Cheerleading Championship on Sunday, where it expects to face stiff competition from the top cheerleading teams from other leagues, including the UAAP, also at the MOA Arena.