Perps Squad eyes record 10th NCAA cheerleading title

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help seeks to continue its reign in the sport it dominated for more than a decade as the 92d NCAA cheerleading competition unfolds Thursday before an expected full-house crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Perps Squad came through with tougher and polished stunts, tosses and routines to beat the Arellano Chief Squad, the 2015 champions, by just two points, 195-193, in wresting back the crown last year.

The Las Pinas-based school will try to underscore its dominance of the cheerleading meet since its introduction and inception into the league 13 years ago as it shoots for a league-best 10th championship.

The only seasons Perpetual Help failed to win the title were in the sport's inaugural edition in 2004, 2008 and 2014, years when Mapua, Jose Rizal and Arellano U reigned supreme, respectively.

"It has always been a tradition to win it for our school, Perpetual Help, and this year, we will do our best to preserve it," said Perpetual Help coach Ruf del Rosario.

In the recent drawing of lots, Perpetual Help will get to perform second to Jose Rizal, which picked first in the event set to unfurl at 3 p.m.

After the first two, Lyceum of the Phl U takes it turn followed by Emilio Aguinaldo, Arellano U, San Beda, Mapua and St. Benilde.

Letran and San Sebastian have begged off.

Arellano U should be the biggest thorn to Perpetual Help's title bid as the Legarda-based team as it has prepared a different routine that it hopes would regain it the crown it lost a year back.

"It's going to be a more exciting competition this year because we at Arellano U have also prepared hard for this event and we wish everyone good luck," said Arellano U's NCAA board member Peter Cayco.