UST Salinggawi tops cheerleading; gymnastics kicks off PNG

MANILA, Philippines - The University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi troupe captured two cheerleading titles as gymnastics officially ushered in the POC-PSC Philippine National Games at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last Tueday.

The multi-titled UST cheerleaders copped the all-female group stunts and cheerdance golds in the event backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, organized by Cheerleading Philippines and sanctioned by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.

Arellano University bested a field of seven teams in ruling the group stunts mixed competition with top score of 115 points, followed by UST (110) while University of the East took the bronze (97.50) in the event graced by GAP president Cynthia Carrion, POC treasurer Julian Camacho and PSC commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevarra.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines tallied 103.5 points to cop the partner stunts gold while Club Gymnastica (87.5) and the Iloilo Shakers, carrying the colors of the Concepcion National High School, took the silver and bronze, respectively.

Holy Trinity College from General Santos City scored 100 points to rule the cheerleading competition with Arellano University settling for silver (185), nipping the all-female San Beda College Alabang squad (183.5).

Endearing themselves to their rivals and crowd were the Iloilo Shakers, bankrolled by Concepcion Mayor Milliard Villanueva, who traveled by land but suffered two vehicle breakdowns just to compete in the event.

Action in the five-day meet resumed yesterday with the two-day men’s and women’s artistic gymnastic competitions.