NATIONAL University yesterday showed why it is the best school in cheerdance tilts in nearly the last decade.
Performing last but not the least, the fancied NU Pep squad bagged its second straight title yesterday in the UAAP Season 82 cheerdance competition before a big crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Showcasing a Filipino pride routine and a five-tier pyramid formation, smooth transition on tosses and death-defying stunts, the Sampaloc-based squad wowed the crowd and the judges and scored 722 points to pocket P50,000.
With a Michael Jackson-inspired theme, Far Eastern University wound up as runners-up for the second straight year with tallied 706 markers to receive P30,000.
Also making it to the podium was the Adamson University Pep squad, which garnered 658.5 points to take home P20,000.
The triumph marked the sixth time in the last seven years that NU won the crown in the most anticipated side event of the UAAP.
NU coach Ghicka Bernabe said her squad’s title repeat was worth the work and sacrifices they did.
“Worth it iyong pinagpaguran. Marami kaming occasions na na-miss dahil sa pagtrai-training. Marami kaming sinacrifice na events with our families,” said Bernabe.
“Sabi ko dapat worth it lahat ng araw na na-miss with family kasi mas masarap umuwi na champion ka,” she added.
The University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe finished fourth with 650 points while the University of the East Pep squad landed at fifth with 645 points.
The University of the Philippines Pep squad, Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion, and the La Salle Animo squad placed sixth, seventh, and eight, respectively.
In the group stunts event, the NU Pep squad also took home the championship, while the FEU cheering squad and the Adamson Pep squad finished 2ndand 3rd, respectively.
