ADIDAS ACTION 3 Fresh Update December 5,2010

NORTH MINDANAO QUALIFIERS SEES NEW CHAMPION IN LICEO DE CAGAYAN

The Liceo De Cagayan University Titans showed they are a force to be reckoned with, winning the North Mindanao Regional Qualifiers in stunning fashion.

The Titans scored 290 points, besting two other competitive squads; the Mindanao State University Lions with 277, and Tagoloan Community College with 267.

Titans head coach RJ Carumba says his team is composed of mostly of rookies, and veteran recruits. "We wanted to compete in the NCC this year. First, to gain much-needed experience, and second, to represent our school and the whole of Mindanao in the Nationals next year."

"Their pyramids can be considered among the best in the Philippines", said NCC Judge JR David. "It will be a treat watching them compete in the Manila against the top teams."

"Ultimately, it was their clean and precise routine that won it for them," added Head Judge Paula Nunag.

In the High School division, the Iligan National High School scored 252 points, winning the first-ever North Mindanao HS championship. The Spartans beat Tomas Cabili National High School (244), and host Liceo De Cagayan University (174.5).

Joining Liceo De Cagayan as the favorites from Mindanao is the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), who won the South Regional Qualifiers last November.

National Director Paula Dela Llana-Nunag commended the squads for their performances. "They've shown what it really means to be cheerleaders. Despite the pressure to perform, the teams were cheering for their fellow competitors, which is what its all about."

The Liceo University Civic Center was at capacity for the NCC competition, again highlighting the popularity of the sport. The Mindanao qualifiers were also held in CDO last year, though the audience was bigger and more supportive this time around.

"We are happy with the turn-out in CDO," said NCC Director Aimee Bulay. "We want more and more families to support this growing and enjoyable sport, and get involved with the kids who love it."

All teams are qualified for the National Finals in Manila, in 2011.

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ADIDAS ACTION 3 Fresh Update December 4,2010

FINAL LEG OF 2010 REGIONALS IN CAGAYAN DE ORO DRAWS CROWD FOR CAMP

Close to 150 campers attended the North Mindanao NCC Regional Cheer Camp in the Liceo De Cagayan Civic Center.

Cheerleaders hailing from schools participating in the final leg of the NCC Qualifying competitions eagerly joined the camp, which featured skills training and routine assessments by the NCC Instructors corps. "The teams from Mindanao are very enthusiastic", exclaimed Camp Director Mic Bustamante. "We love coming over and teaching the kids all we know about cheerleading."

NCC National Director Paula Nunag said the teams from Mindanao are more eager to try out the difficult stunts, and makes it all the more important to teach the basics. "Mindanao teams have always demonstrated a certain fearlessness when it comes to stunts. If they listen and learn well during the camps, then they will be able to execute more efficiently and get higher scores", said Nunag.

The NCC held one Mindanao leg last season also in Cagayan De Oro. This year, because of the number of squads who expressed interest in joining, the organization decided to hold two qualifiers, adding a leg in General Santos. "We are happy to have decided to give the Mindanao teams more opportunities to participate", said NCC Instructor Dan Puatu. "It helps us build relationships around the country with those like us who love the sport."

The North Mindanao camp ended with a ‘class picture', which has become tradition for the NCC and the cheerleaders who participate in the camps.

GROWTH UNPRECEDENTED

For the 2010-2011 season, a total of five qualifiers were held outside the NCR, furthering the unprecedented reach and popularity of the NCC. "When we started with the Regionals, we wanted to grow slowly, carefully", said NCC Marketing Director Aimee Bulay. "Now, we are looking to maybe double the number of Regional competitions by next season. We think this is a realistic goal."

The NCC regional legs started in 2008, with Qualifiers in North Luzon, South Luzon, and Cebu for the VizMin leg. Since then, the NCC has added another qualifier every year.  More campers also participate in each activity. "We are averaging more than 120 participants per leg, with a couple areas reaching close to 200", Bulay says. "Although this is plenty, we want to reach even more kids next year."

The NCC Regional camps have also attracted familiar faces as well as new participants. "A lot of campers return to hone their skills and show off their new-found stunts and tumbling," said NCC instructor JR David. "A lot of kids we taught in high school started out with little to no knowledge about cheerleading, and when they get through with an NCC camp, they become full-fledged, passionate cheer athletes."

The NCC Camps are part of a 2-day Qualifying weekend, which culminates in the competition. For the 2010 Regionals, the numbers prove the popularity of the NCC is growing by leaps and bounds. Of last count, 60 teams have already participated. "When we started in 2006, we had 10 teams and two divisions. Now, we are projecting at least 120 participating teams in eight different divisions in total", Nunag says. "That's just in five years! Imagine how much more cheerleaders have yet to be a part of the NCC! We can't wait to teach them also!"

The NCC says it is looking at the possibility of bringing the Regionals to Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo, Ilocos, Palawan, and Bicol next year. "We've developed positive relationships with the schools and their student-athletes," said Bulay. "They have been inviting us to hold qualifying competitions, and we're examining the feasibility as early as now."

The NCR Qualifiers will take place in Manila in January, 2011. The NCC says it is looking forward to seeing teams they've been helping out qualify for the Finals. "The NCR Qualifiers, we expect, will also draw a good number of teams," says Nunag. "This is ‘The Nationals', after all, the highest level of cheerleading in the country. I'm sure teams are preparing for that."

The North Mindanao Camp and Competition is the fifth and final leg of the NCC 2010 Regional Qualifiers.

All qualifiers travel to Manila for the Nationals for Cheer and Dance in March, 2011.

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