THE SAN BEDA Red Corps finished as first runners-up in the collegiate co-ed category of the 2024 National Cheerleading Competition (NCC) Season 17 National Finals held last March 24 at PhilSports Arena, Pasig City.  

The victory is a repeat of the Mendiola-based squad’s performance last year, wherein they also placed second in NCC Season 16 held at the Ynares Sports Arena. 

As a result of the competition’s progressive expansion to encompass more recent cheering categories and divisions over the years, the 17th Season was the most recent and largest NCC event, with participants hailing from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), and other educational institutions around the country. 

This year’s NCC competition also paid tribute to the passing of Coach Arnold Villanueva, dubbed as the “Father of Philippine Cheerleading.”  

Being the fourth to perform in the college co-ed cheer category, the San Beda Red Corps captivated the audience with a nostalgic performance, paying homage to the theme songs of iconic 1970’s Japanese anime “Daimos” and “Voltes V.” 

In the end, the Red Corps placed first runner-up with an overall score of 253, 63.5 points behind the Arellano University (AU) Chiefsquads who reigned supreme as the champions for the stint with 316.5. Next in line was the second runner-up Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals Pep Squad, who garnered a total score of 237.5. 

The cheerleading competition was judged by a panel of 12 internationally certified judges, who based the scores on criteria such as the basic elements of cheer, tumbling, tosses, stunts, pyramids, and deductions for penalties.