by Ruf Serafin Rosero
National University extended its stronghold on the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, securing a record-setting ninth championship after dominating Season 88 with 695 points on Saturday, November 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs’ ninja-themed routine, anchored on wow-inducing, crisp timing, and refined execution, placed them decisively ahead of the field and reinforced their status as the most decorated cheerdance program in league history.
NU’s formula: unmatched technique and elite difficulty
Entering Season 88 as the overwhelming favorite and defending champions, NU performed exactly as anticipated. Their scoring breakdown underscored the depth of their advantage with 87.5 in tumbling, 89.5 in stunts, 87 in pyramids, and a division-leading 145 in dance technique. Despite minor breaks, their routine remained the standard for precision and difficulty. With this victory, NU breaks free from its previous three-way tie with UP and UST and becomes the league’s lone nine-time champion.
Adamson edges FEU by 0.5 as penalties tilt the race
Behind NU’s runaway win, Adamson and FEU delivered the closest podium battle of the afternoon. Adamson Pep Squad secured silver with 659 points, narrowly edging the FEU Cheering Squad’s 658.5. Adamson’s adventure-themed performance was the day’s cleanest with only two penalty points, which allowed their choreography, synchronization, and 139.5 dance technique score to stand out.
FEU energized the arena with its lively “BaTAM FEU-noy” routine inspired by familiar Filipino games. They posted contender-level marks across tumbling, pyramids, and tosses, but their 22 penalty points weighed heavily on their final standing. Without those deductions, FEU would have comfortably overtaken Adamson for silver. Their narrow 0.5 deficit emphasized how decisive execution discipline has become.
La Salle turns in a clean routine despite seventh place
Despite finishing seventh with 546.5 points, the DLSU Animo Squad delivered one of the cleanest routines of the competition with only five penalties. Their baseball-inspired performance was tightly executed and well-paced, although it lacked the degree of difficulty needed to challenge the top groups. Their cleanliness later earned them special recognition.
UE and UST steady in the middle, UP and Ateneo round out the rankings
UE Pep Squad finished fourth with 623 points behind its high school nostalgia theme that resonated strongly with the crowd. UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe followed with 618.5, performing a ghost-themed routine that showcased one of the best dance technique scores of the day with 146.5. However, their 22 penalty points pulled them down the leaderboard.
UP Pep Squad placed sixth with 558 points while bringing a colorful and festive Paskong Pinoy theme to the mat, complete with holiday-inspired motifs and formations. Ateneo rounded out the standings with 436.5 points. Their routine suffered from 39 points in deductions, the highest of the competition, which severely affected their placement despite strong effort and school spirit.
Arena united as anti-corruption chants ring out
Season 88 unfolded under a powerful atmosphere of student solidarity after the UAAP issued an official call for spectators to wear white in support of the growing public demand against corruption. The response was overwhelming, filling the arena with thousands dressed in white and creating an unmistakable visual statement.
The anti-corruption message surfaced not through the routines but through the cheers and chants led by each school’s cheering sections. Across the venue, supporters delivered variations of long-standing campus protest lines. The loudest came from the UP Varsity Drummers, who ignited one of the afternoon’s defining moments with the familiar chant “Ikulong na yan, mga kurakot.” Multiple sections quickly joined in, turning the arena into a unified chorus.
UE added another striking moment when the UE Pep Squad unfurled a large tarpaulin that read “WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AGAINST CORRUPTION” at center floor after their performance. The action drew applause from all corners of the venue and quickly became one of the most photographed scenes of the day.
NU supporters also made their stance clear. From the upper terraces, they rolled out a large hand-painted canvas that read “PARA SA BAYAN, KORAPSYON LABANAN.” The banner echoed the collective call and visually tied the league’s most dominant team to the event’s broader message of accountability.
These cheers formed a unified statement that paralleled the spectacle on the mat. The Cheerdance Competition once again served as a platform for student expression and national sentiment.
Special awards highlight standout moments
Several squads earned special citations across various categories. Adamson collected the Biogenic Armor Up Pyramid Award, the Enervon Most Energetic Team Award, the Skechers Stylish Performance Award, and the Smooth Tumbling Pass Award. NU claimed the Silka Time To Shine Showstopper Award, the MWell Power Performance Award, the Converge Super Fiber X Reliable Performance Award, and the Yamaha Most Unique Dance Move Award. UE won the Chingu Bestie Chemistry Award, FEU secured the Jollibee Jolliest Toss Award, and DLSU took home the Dove Best Hair from the Top Award.
A season that raised the bar and left no room for error
Season 88 showcased heightened levels of difficulty, sharper thematic storytelling, and competitive scoring margins that allowed little room for mistakes. The half-point separation between Adamson and FEU and the penalty-heavy outcomes for several squads reflected how crucial discipline has become.
NU’s ninth crown adds another defining chapter to its remarkable dynasty. With Adamson displaying upgraded precision and FEU delivering high-ceiling routines, the competition continues to tighten. If Season 88 is any indication, future editions promise even fiercer battles for the podium. For now, NU stands alone atop UAAP cheerdance history, its dominance once again unmistakable.
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