Perpetual Help, St. Benilde shine in Asian Cheerleading tilt

MANILA, Philippines -- Perpetual Help and College of St. Benilde came through with performances to remember as they raked in a combined four gold medals and a silver in the Asian Invitation Cheerleading Championships in Singapore over the weekend.

The Perps reigned supreme in the Coed Premier, Coed Elite and Group Stunts category while settling for a silver in Partner Stunts to emerged the best performing school in the annual event, sanctioned by the International Cheer Union or the world governing body of the sport, that drew participation from 10 countries.

The Blazing Animo, for their part, capped the Phl's impressive effort by adding a mint in the All-Girls' Elite category.

The recent triumphs added another feather in its cap as Perpetual reignined supreme in the NCAA while finishing a strong second in the National Collegiate Cheerleading Championships weeks back.

Itos Valdez, who heads the National Cheerleading Championship, the only recognized national sports association for cheerleading in the country, said it's a proud accomplishment winning in the prestigious meet.

"This is the fourth year that teams from the Phl have competed in this annual championship. Being there is an honor itself, winning makes it sweeter," said Valdez.

Meanwhile, the country is setting its sights on the ICU Worlds at the ESPN Sports Complex in Walt Disney in Orlando, Florida in the United States late April.

It marks the first time that a Phl team will be competing in the said event, which is considered as the Olympics of cheerleading since over 100 hundred nations are expected to join.

As this developed, the NCAA has also submitted its formal bid to host the 1st Asian Universities and Schools Championships in November this year.

If granted, it will mark the first time that an international cheerleading competition will be held in the country.