MANILA – The National University Pep Squad reclaimed its throne after ruling the UAAP Season 81 Cheerdance Competition on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Inspired by the Pixar film “Coco,” the NU Pep Squad had a flawless and impressive execution of stunts to bounce back from a fourth-place finish a year ago and take home its fifth title in the last six seasons.
The NU Pep Squad placed first after finishing with a total of 711 points – 369.5 in dance, 89 in tumbling, 88.5 in stunts, 77 in tosses, and 87 in pyramids – without penalties and deductions.
“The past years, pressured kami to defend the title, ang hirap mag-champion tapos mag-back to back, three-peat hanggang sa mag-four-peat,” said NU Pep Squad head coach Ghika Bernabe.
“Noong nawala kami sa top three, siguro pressured pa rin kami, iyon kasi iyong way para gumalaw iyong team, pero in a good way,” she added. “Actually it’s a challenge for us na bumalik sa top from nothing.”
On second place was the Far Eastern University Cheering Squad, which finished with 655.5 points with its 70s inspired performance, while on third was last year’s champion Adamson Pep Squad, which had 638.5 points for its Lion King-inspired showing.
Completing the order of performance were the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe, the University of the East Pep Squad, the University of the Philippines Pep Squad, the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion, and the De La Salle University Animo Squad.
The NU Pep Squad also ruled the group stunts category, with the FEU Cheering Squad and the Adamson Pep Squad finishing on second and third places, respectively. The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe got the Yamaha Toss Award./PN
