How to cheer for your favorite teams on UAAP CDC

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 1) — The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Cheerdance Competition (CDC) kicks off Saturday, and tickets are sold out. Unless you grabbed a pass early, you’re one of the many who will be watching from home.

It’s a bummer when you realize you aren’t part of the electric energy rippling through the arena, or won’t feel your chest vibrate from the banging of the drums, as you jump in exhilaration while rooting for your school’s cheering squad on the mat. But don’t worry, your ticket-free life does not make you any less of a fan. Cheer for your favorite team online!

Here’s what to expect from this year’s Cheerdance Competition:

The UP Pep Squad returns

After skipping last year’s competition in protest over the win of the National University (NU) Pep Squad in 2015, the eight-time CDC champion is making a comeback this year with the theme #KwentongIsko.

They aim to tell the story of UP students through their routine. “Ang kwentong maroon ay kwento ng bayan (The story of the UP student is the story of the Filipino people),” it read.

5-peat for the NU Pep Squad?

The defending champions hint on a sea-themed routine as they attempt to bring home their fifth gold title on Saturday. The NU Pep Squad started their winning streak in 2013 with their Aladdin-inspired performance.

Show your support for the NU Bulldogs with the hashtag #AllOutOn5 online.

Power to the Tigers

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe, also an eight-time CDC champion, aim to win big for the Thomasian community.

Their men’s basketball team may have fallen deep after finishing with a 13-1 record in UAAP Season 80, but the Tigers remain pumped to boost the Salinggawi in reclaiming their throne #ParaSaUSTe (for UST).

Cheering for cheering squads online

Immortalize your screaming and cheering from home by sharing it online. Aside from #KwentongIsko, #AllOutOn5, and #ParaSaUSTe, other schools are also launching their own hashtags for the CDC.

After finishing second last year, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad are calling on the elements of air, fire, water, and earth in a bid to win the title this year with #FourElementsUnite.

Next up, the Adamson Pep Squad. They’ll be hitting the floor with an ‘80s-inspired routine. Their fans are urged to wear white on Saturday and use the hashtag #80sFor80.

The University of the East (UE) Pep Squad are also ready to bring an #UnExpected, #UnEnding, and #UltimatE act on Saturday. They are expected to raise the red and white on Saturday with a fiery performance.

Before the famed basketball rivalry heats up once again on Sunday, students from De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo De Manila University each rally a victorious school spirit through their cheering squads.

The DLSU Animo Squad might take the crowd for a short trip to Japan as they perform their #japANIMO routine. The Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion will echo their iconic #JuanBigFight and #SayawOBF routine.

The UAAP Cheerdance Competition 2017 is on Saturday, December 2, 1 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.