CCP regains nat'l cheerleading crown

MANILA, Philippines -- Central Colleges of the Philippines re-emerged as the best cheerleading school in the country today after topping the college division of the 9th National Collegiate Championship before a decent weekend crowd at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Sunday night.

The CCP Bobcats came through with a memorable performance as they wowed practically everyone to snare their fifth crown in one of the closest competitions in the nine years of the holding of the event organized by the NCC, the first and only cheerleading competition in the land that employs American cheerleading rules and regulations.

CCP bested a total of 19 teams after it garnered a total of 324 points, edging reigning NCAA champion Perpetual Help and defending UAAP titlist National U, which wound up second and third places with 318 and 315.5 points, respectively.

It was a scintillating effort for the Bobcats as they regained the title they lost last year to the NU Pep Squad, which came here as one of the favorites after topping last year’s edition and blowing by everybody in the UAAP cheerdance event that it lorded over last year.

CCP won it in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

What’s worse, NU managed only a third place finish as the Perps Squad, riding the crest of their domination of the NCAA cheerleading competition last Thursday also at the MOA Arena for an impressive five-peat feat and eight overall, took runners up honors.

Perpetual Help reigned supreme in the annual event’s inaugural edition in 2006 and repeated as champion in 2009.

The only other winner of the NCAA aside from CCP, Perpetual Help and NU was University of Cordilleras in Baguio City, which pulled the rug from the rest of the field by topping the 2011 staging.

Immaculate Concepcion Academy, meanwhile, ruled the high school division after it amassed 294 points, edging Saravia National High School and an upset-conscious Lanao del Norte Comprehensive High School, which wound up second and third with 285 and 284.

The NCC drew 95 participants this year, underscoring its reputation as not just the biggest but the most prestigious cheerleading tournament in the Phl.

The day before, the School of the Holy Spirit won over 52 teams in the High School’s All-Girls level, thanks to a bedazzling performance.