Metro Manila, Philippines – The National University (NU) surpassed records after clinching the Cheerdance Competition title for the ninth time on Saturday, Nov. 29, becoming the winningest school in the UAAP for cheerdance.
The NU Pep Squad unleashed ninja moves on the mats for its Season 88 routine, topping elements of stunts and pyramids to score 695 points, proving their unparalleled skills in front of a 20,130 crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Iris Arendain, who led the pack of cheering bulldogs, said she was thankful that they showed a superb performance, with everyone safe.
“Super worth it ang pinaghirapan…Napaka-fulfilling ‘yong journey namin natapos nang maganda,” she said in a post-competition interview.
[Translation: Our hard work was super worth it. It’s a fulfilling journey since we had a good finish.]
Gab Bacajan, who became team coach for the second season, said the win made the team and the NU community more united.
“Mas lalong nakita ‘yong purpose namin, para kanino yong championship namin,” he said.
[Translation: We saw better our purpose and to whom this championship was for.]
The Adamson University Pep Squad turned into explorers this season, tallying 659 points to settle for a silver finish.
Utilizing the platform in one of the most popular university competitions in the country, the Adamson team revealed tarpaulins printed with “Laban Adamson; Laban sa Korapsyon [Fight Adamson; Fight corruption]” at the start of their performance. Another one with “We’re all in this together against corruption” was unfolded to cap the routine.
Completing the podium was the Far Eastern University Cheering Squad, which garnered 658.5 points for its Batang Pinoy-themed sequence.
The NU is the first UAAP school to secure nine championships in cheerdance, followed by the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the University of the Philippines Varsity Pep Squad having both eight wins.
