The National University Pep Squad emerged as the top winner for the third consecutive time at the 2015 UAAP Cheerdance Competition held at the SM MOA Arena on Saturday, October 3.
The NU Pep Squad’s caveman-theme routine got a total score of 668 points (out of a total 800) from the judges; they placed first in most of the criteria and scored especially high in tumbling (91.5 points), tosses (84 points) and pyramids (88 points). NU was also the first runner-up winner in the Group Stunts category of the UAAP Cheerdance Competition.
IN PHOTOS: UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2015
All in all, the National University Pep Squad took home about 500,000 worth of prizes—including 240,000 pesos in cash, and a victory party and concert courtesy of the advertising sponsors.
At the post-competition press conference, NU Pep Squad Coach Jica Bernabe acknowledged that their performance had its share of errors, particularly during a pyramid formation. But instead of being bogged down, her team persisted.
“Noong nagkamali kami sa pyramid, sabi ko apat naman ang aming pyramid (formations), babawi kami sa tatlong susunod na pyramid. Alam namin na hindi mabilis na maaagaw sa amin ang championship.”
Team Captain Claire Cristobal said that their positive attitude carried them through. “Kasama ako sa nahulugan na pyramid,” she confessed. “Pero di kami nag-give up. Lagi kaming sinasabihin ng mga coach namin to keep the energy going. Meron pang kasunod. Pwede pang lumaban. Kami ang may control.”
Mr. Jun Gaw, the Team Manager, praised the squad for pulling off a tough routine. “Whatever faults were made, these were overcome by the level of difficulty that they displayed.”
Coach Jica disclosed that the NU Pep Squad went the extra mile in all the segments.
“For example, sa lifting hindi lang basta inaangat ang cheerdancers, they stay up there for at least four counts.” NU’s three-peat success proved that Coach Jica’s training and the squad’s hard work are paying off. “Noon, ang sabi nila kapag NU ang nagpi-perform sa cheerdance, ‘water break’ daw iyon. Ngayon, inaabangan na ang performance NU Pep Squad sa cheerdance.”
The four-year coach eventually got a bit emotional during the press conference as she also said that even her alma mater, the Far Eastern University, is happy for her success. “Sobrang touched ako sa FEU community kung saan ako nanggaling. Nadinig ko sa kanila na sobrang proud sila sa akin. ‘Yung alma mater ko binigay sa akin ang support. Alam ko masaya sila kung nasaan ako now.”
IN PHOTOS: UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2015
This feat puts the NU Pep Squad at par with the University of the Philippines Pep Squad’s winning streak. and the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe still has the longest consecutive number of championships with five.
