UP Pep Squad skips 2016 UAAP Cheerdance competition

UP Pep Squad. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The University of the Philippines Pep Squad is set to miss this year’s UAAP Cheerdance Competition.

In a statement on its official Facebook account, the eight-time champions confirmed they are not joining the 2016 competition with same people in charge of the event as last year’s.

“Reared in the institution we represent, we abide with our principles of honor and integrity, and stay true to our word of foregoing with the competition, should the same organizers be hired to handle the event again.”

UP finished third in the 2015 competition falling behind archrivals University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troup and gold medalists National University Pep Squad.

It was NU’s third straight title, tying UP for the second-longest streak.

UP protested the results on Oct. 2, 2015 with head coach Lala Pereña saying the judges displayed prejudice towards her team.

“From our first request for an informal meeting, to the letter of protest advised by the organizers themselves, we have exhausted all our efforts to reach a resolution,” the post said. “We have repeatedly sought out the delegated individuals to no avail. And after many weeks, months, and now a year of waiting, our issues and questions remain unresolved.”

UP and UST have the most gold medals in the competition with eight apiece.

As the news broke, UP’s official student publication The Philippine Collegian said in a Facebook post that the UP Pep Squad was not listed in the order of competitors.