NU Pep Squad keeps cheerdance crown

National University proved yet again that it’s the new force in the realm of cheerdance.

Spoiling the traditional favorites’ own championship bids, the NU Pep Squad made sure there’s no doubt this time by coming up with a tough and perfectly executed routine to capture a second straight championship in the UAAP cheerdance competition yesterday at the jampacked Smart Araneta Coliseum

“From zero to hero,” NU coach Ghicka Bernabe said of her crew, who used to be a cellar-dweller in the league’s popular event. “Before we were just aiming to get out of the bottom, then to go for the top three. And now, we’re defending our title.”

With the girls sporting tightly braided ’dos and the boys in fierce mohawks, the NU Pep squad showcased a native American-themed number and garnered 677.5 points to bag the grand prize of P340,000.

“The standard of difficulty in our pyramids, tosses and stunts—everything leveled up,” said Bernabe.

NU again shocked perennial favorite University of the Philippines in front of a boisterous crowd of 22,093.

And the UP Pep Squad undeniably looked stunned as the league’s winningest team settled for a runner-up finish with 658 points for the second straight year.

Last season, NU spoiled UP’s bid for a fourth straight crown and a record ninth overall title in one of the league’s crowd-drawers.

NU pulled it off even if the UP Pep Squad looked terrific yet again with an energetic number that hinged on the theme equality.

Looking stylish in Maroon-dyed hair and black unitards sprinkled with rainbow colors, UP had its male performers sharing the limelight in the stunts, some of them even lifted by their female counterparts during the pyramid formations and tosses.

The Maroons, always the crowd darling, also delivered several outstanding moves, including the human-formation of the State University’s trademark Oblation in the finale.

“We didn’t expect the championship, but we hoped. There’s a difference,” UP team captain Audrey Muñoz said of the Maroons, who pocketed P200,000. “We felt sad, but we’re also happy that we gave a perfect run. We achieved that.”

University of Santo Tomas’ Salinggawi Dance Troupe earned redemption by returning to the top three for the first time in three years.

Coming off its worst finish of seventh place last year, Salinggawi returned to the podium with 625 points, worth P140,000.

UST, tied with UP for the most number of crowns at eight, got off to a show-stopping start with its Oriental-inspired number.

NU virtually swept every category, topping the tumbling (84 points), stunts (78), pyramids (90) and dance (369) categories, while placing second in tosses (71.5).

NATIONAL U Pep Squad’s energetic native American-themed number brings the house down in yesterday’s UAAP cheerdance tilt. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

“We improved in our pyramids and dance,” said NU team captain Precious Chavez.

Far Eastern University, meanwhile, got a bit of consolation by ruling the Group Stunts for the first time with 258.5 points.

Also a cheerdance powerhouse, the FEU Cheering Squad crashed out of the top three for the second straight season but made up for it in the five-man group stunts with a quirky number that also showcased their flexibility.

UST clinched second with 251, followed by NU with 239.5 in the group stunts.

Adamson, which finished last a year ago, climbed to fourth place in the cheerdance with 600 points on a pirate-themed routine.

FEU wound up as a very close fifth placer with 599.5 points, while La Salle, third placer last year, fell to sixth with a 557 total.

University of the East had 503 points, while Ateneo ended up last with 494.5.