NCAA ’59 muses & cheerleaders

In the ‘50s and ‘60s, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was the so-called basketball’s glamour league. The most popular sports event in the country was watched at the Rizal Coliseum and followed on radio and television and in newspaper.

Lina Alvir with San Beda Red Lions’ cheerleaders

Pinky SyJuco cheered by Knights of Letran

Member schools were Ateneo, La Salle, San Beda, Letran (all Catholic schools), Mapua, Jose Rizal. But for Letran, all the other colleges have achieved university status.

Aida Reyes and Mapua’s pep squad

Linda Gutierrez with Jose Rizal’s rah-rah boys

Rivalry among the six schools was intense.

Gemma Cruz and cheerleaders with Ateneo’s Blue Eagle as backdrop

Remember When? looks back at the muses and cheerleaders of NCAA in 1959. Recognize and remember some (or many) of them? — RKC