NU Pep squad performs during the 2017 UAAP Cheerdance Competition at Mall of Asia Arena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
National University walked into Mall of Asia Arena with all the momentum in the world as its Pep Squad prepared to win its fifth straight title in the UAAP Cheerdance competition.
NU Pep Squad, however, walked out of MOA Arena beaten without even getting the chance to step on the podium.
That disappointment, though, didn’t leave head coach Ghicka Bernabe with any hint of bitterness as she congratulated new champion Adamson University Pep Squad.
“I’m really happy for Adamson because they’re like NU,” said Bernabe in Filipino Saturday. “I’m also happy for UE [University of the East] because it’s been so long since they got into the top three.”
NU finished fourth with 610.50 of a possible 800 points, and saw its string of four straight titles come to dust.
The former champions started off their routine poorly after failing to execute their lifts with several slips occurring at the beginning of their performance.
Although NU recovered in the final four minutes of its Under the Sea performance, the earlier deductions were enough to prevent a fifth championship.
Bernabe added that she doesn’t want the loss to dishearten her players and she hopes they can bounce back stronger in future editions of the competition.
“I don’t want this loss to really affect my players because I know that they’re really good performers,” said Bernabe. “If this loss will affect someone, let it affect us coaches. I still believe in the ability of my players.”