fullcourtfresh.com | UAAP Season 77: Comeback delayed but message sent for UP Pep Squad

In an alternate universe, The University of the Philippines Pep Squad found gold at the end of their rainbow performance on Sunday, with their colorful vision of equality displayed on the mat bagging top marks at the 2014 UAAP Cheerdance competition.

But not in this universe, where their advocacy-wrapped comeback bid for the UAAP Cheerdance Competition championship fell short against “bark-to-back” gunning National University Pep Squad.

The Iskolar ng Bayan lost the title last year, when they managed to muster tearful cheers despite a failed 4-peat bid. On Sunday, the smiles they showed were weaker as a repeat of Season 76’s top-two result meant the crown is out of Diliman for another year.

“Masakit pero mas masarap yung feeling na mas matuwa sila sa routine kesa dun sa mapapanalunan namin,” said UP Pep Francis Gatcaytan, talking for a senior who was in tears.

UP shone with unorthodox routines including numerous all-male lifts and throws on top of their floor mastery, “revolutionizing” cheerdance while breaking anew performance norms as one of many interpretations of their chant “lahat pantay-pantay.”

“Para sa amin, it’s okay for a good show. Bonus na lang yung makukuha namin sa podium,” said Gatcaytan.

The silver medal finish was a heartbreaker for performers and fans alike who expected the CDC crown to return for a record-setting 9th finish in the competition’s history.

“Syempre, medyo disappointed. Pero, sana UP ang nanalo,” said UP alumnus Marcie Mesina. “Sino ba naman ang gustong umuwi ng second place lang?”

Nobody, of course, did. But the longer the title stays away from Diliman, the hungrier tUP becomes for the win.

“Babalik pa rin ako next year at ipagpe-pray ko talaga na masigurado na ng UP (ang panalo),” said Mesina.

The UP Pep Squad, meanwhile, vowed to show something better.

“We’re gonna give something else to expect from the UP Community and to the others,” said Gatcaytan. “Hindi naman pwedeng same lang yung ipapakita namin, you have to expect something new and something awesome from us.” (by Ronin Bautista and Francis Fulgar)