fullcourtfresh.com | UAAP Season 77: NU goes back-to-back in 2014 Cheerdance Competition

National University successfully defended its UAAP Cheerdance Competition crown on Sunday with a “Native American” routine in front of 22,093 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The NU Pep Squad bit harder the second time around with their “bark-to-back” run, tallying a total of 677.5 points way ahead of their closest rivals, the University of the Philippines Pep Squad. This year’s runner up got 658 points with their advocacy performance for equality, more than 50 points ahead of the podium-returning University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe whose oriental-themed show recorded 625 points.

“Mahirap kasi mas nakakapressure pala kapag champion ka na. Before kasi nag-aim lang kami ng top three tapos this time gusto namin madefend yung title namin not only for two peat, but for three, four, five.” said the bubbly NU Coach Ghereeka Bernabe.

It really wasn’t an easy title defense for NU as the gritty UP Pep Squad proved to be a hurdle for them as well as the returning podium finisher, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe. But for former NU Pep Squad Team Captain Johnvin Nelson, his team made history.

“Sobrang proud ng lahat ng supporters namin. Binalik lang namin sa kanila yung dapat nilang makita.” said Nelson.
Asked where they focused on their performance, NU Coach Ghereeka Bernabe said, “Sabi kasi ng ibang team, hindi kami magaling sa dance eh. Pero naprove naman namin na magaling kami sa dance.”

Now, the pressure lies on NU to contend for a three peat next season. But according to their coach, they can deliver.

“Bago pa sila (other teams) mag-level up, nag-aadvance na kami. Hindi ko siguro basta basta bibitawan yung two-peat championship ngayon. Isang malaking challenge sa akin kung paano ko itutuloy itong legacy ng NU na from a zero to a hero. Abangan niyo nalang siguro next year kung ano pang mga mas bagong makikita niyo.” she added.

On the other hand, the University of the Philippines Pep Squad settled for a second-place finish for the second straight year. The UP Pep was almost perfect, only committing a single fault in the entire rainbow-inspired routine.

“Para sa amin kasi, kung ano yung ginawa namin kanina sa routine namin… yung magandang show na naibigay namin sa audience, (para) sa UP Community at sa mga tao. Masakit pero mas masarap yung feeling na mas matuwa sila dun sa routine kesa dun sa mapapanalunan namin.” said UP Pep Squad’s Francis Gatcaytan after their plan to take back the crown failed this year.

Meanwhile, returning podium-finisher UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe grabbed the third spot with an Oriental-themed routine.

“Sobrang saya po namin kasi di po talaga kami nag-eexpect na magkaplace kami. Ang gusto lang po namin ay mapasaya ang mga Tomasino at magkaroon ng perfect routine. Bonus na lang yung nanalo kami.” said UST Captain MC Dela Cruz.

Rounding up the standings are the Adamson University, Far Eastern University which failed to make the top three twice in row, last year’s third place De La Salle University, University of the East and the Ateneo de Manila University.

In the Group Stunts category, Far Eastern University placed first followed by University of Santo Tomas and National University, respectively.

Here are the scores for the cheerdance category: