NU Pep leads favorites in NCC nat’l finals

MANILA, Philippines — Surprise winners in the National Capital Region qualifiers, National University heads a crack pack of 10 finalists in the 2013 National Cheerleading Championship finals March 10 at the Philsports Arena.

The NU Pep Squad recorded the highest-ever score in the eight-year-old competition, notching 325 points en route to topping the NCR leg held February 3 at the Mall of Asia.

But defending champion Central Colleges of the Philippines will definitely not give up their crown that easily, with perennial contender and 2009 titlist University of Perpetual Help System Dalta also expected to crowd NU at the top.

The PerpSquad and the Bobcats finished second and third, respectively, in the NCR qualifiers with 302 and 298.5 points while UAAP powerhouse Far Eastern University placed fourth with 283.

UPHSD is fresh off another successful campaign in the NCAA Cheerleading championship, winning their fourth consecutive title March 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Meanwhile, FEU and NU ranked second and third in the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition.

Challenging the usual suspects are Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Mapua Institute of Technology, Taguig City University, Liceo de Cagayan de Oro, City University of Pasay and Tarlac State University. – Rappler.com