THE NATIONAL University Pep Squad delivered an ‘extreterrestrial’ performance, as they regained the UAAP Cheerdance Competition title on Sunday – their eighth – at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
There was no other way to greet the 19,121 fans in attendance as NU reclaimed the title from Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Cheering Squad at the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition.
With their seventh title, they tied the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the UP Pep Squad for the most titles in UAAP Cheerdance history, establishing their place as one of the competition’s most powerful teams.
A league of their own
NU, coached by Gab Bajacan, dominated all squads with 713 points, scoring 86.5 in tumbling, 91.5 in stunts, 91 in tosses, 85 in pyramids, and 368 in dancing, with just 9 deducted points.
Photo Courtesy: Bryan Gadingan / republicasia
“Sobrang hindi po namin in-expect ‘to,” said the second-year head coach, who had a silver finish in Season 86 during his first stint as the head coach. “Pero siguro masyado lang kaming hard sa sarili namin.”
“We did not expect itong award na ‘to. The whole competitors sobrang nag-step up lahat sila. Nakita namin yung dedication ng bawat team ngayon, so we did not expect na mananalo kami,” he added.
Not only did they dominate the tally sheet, they also had every single special awards handed, namely: MWell Power Performance Award, Juicy Cologne Juicy-fied Pyramid,
AIA Ascend Best Aerial Performance.
Along with Jollibee Best Toss Award, Silka Stay Lit Dance Move Award, Skechers Stylish Performance Team Award, Yamaha Most Unique Dance Move, and MAX Most Synchronized Team for a total of P280,000.
They also received a UAAP x MWell Special Edition Power Watch as rewards. In addition to the P100,000 they won from the league and Dunkin’ for emerging victorious in the yearly competition.
Podium finishers
The Adamson Pep Squad finished in second place with their traditional Pinoy theme and karaoke-inspired performance. They finished second with 679.5 points, just one place worse than their last finish in Season 84 (2021).
Photo Courtesy: Bryan Gadingan / republicasia
Adamson wowed the Soaring Falcons fans with a groovy yet risky six-minute dance inspired by The Corrs’ “Breathless,” ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
The defending champions FEU Cheering Squad performed last with a chilly magical Frozen-themed routine, taking third place with 352.5 points.
Frozen’s beloved characters Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff captivated the audience, bringing the magic to life with a spellbinding rendition of the legendary “Let It Go,” and sending chills down their spine by forming a snowflake-like pattern in the center.
Meanwhile, despite their performance and the lack of any special awards, Adamson and FEU received P60,000 and P40,000 from the league and Dunkin’ Donuts for placing first and second runner-up, respectively.
Defended it well
As they say, modest in victory and gracious in defeat. FEU Cheering Squad head coach Randel San Gregorio said that his team was stunned to even finish on the podium.
Photo Courtesy: Bryan Gadingan / republicasia
This is because they were unable to meet or exceed the expectations they set for themselves during their previous season, when they pulled off a gold medal for their Super Mario-themed performance.
“Ranking ko sa amin mga fourth or fifth. Nag debrief kami, and sinabi ko na ganon kasi we had too many mistakes para mag podium. Buti na lang hinila kami ng dance, pero yung cheer elements namin, mababa yung rank,” he said.
“So okay pa rin, masaya. ‘Di lang kita sa mukha, pero masaya kami. Honestly, after our performance, sinabi ko sa kanila na ‘wag mag-expect kasi feeling ko ‘di kami aabot sa Top 3,” San Gregorio admitted.
San Gregorio is disappointed, to say the least, because he believes they failed to completely honor the support given to them by the entire FEU community during yesterday night’s competition.
“Nahihiya nga ako eh. First-time ko na ganun yung crowd,” he said. “Iba yung hype nila this year, mas hyper pa sila sa amin. So ako, personally, nahihiya ako eh.”
“Yung mga nag cosplay pa kanina, walang ganun dati. Talagang sila, nag ready sila at bonggang bongga sila. Hopefully, ‘di yun mamatay. Pasensya na po sa community namin for not delivering,” he added.
The FEU Cheering Squad continued their record of podium finishes with six, bringing their total to 23. San Gregorio believes that consistency is critical if they are to reclaim the crown.
The rest of the universities and their rank/points:
4th — University of the East (Sexbomb): 641 points
5th — University of Santo Tomas (Batang 90s): 634.5 points
6th — University of the Philippines (Summer): 560 points
7th — De La Salle University (Chess): 525 points
8th — Ateneo de Manila University (Big Bang): 490 points
