Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It’s clear that National University is the current superpower in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition even though it’s only the second winningest school with five titles in the event.
University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines hold the most titles in the competition with eight apiece but the Salinggawi Dance Troupe’s hasn’t won the gold since 2006 and the UP Pep Squad last won the trophy in 2012.
NU has since taken the throne after the two original powers vacated their rule and the NU Pep Squad has owned the competition for five of the past six years.
Far Eastern University, which won two titles in between the several reigns of UST and UP, is still considered as one of the stronger contenders in the event but it, too, admitted that NU is the current standard.
Randell San Gregorio, head coach of the FEU Cheering Squad, said the challenge for his team is not only to win a third championship but also match the level that the NU Pep Squad is in.
“Personally, I’m happy for them (the NU Pep Squad)… I never felt threatened by them and it’s more of a feeling of appreciation that I know they’re that good and it’s inspiring,” said San Gregorio in Filipino Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“The challenge now is how to be on the same level as them but we’ll eventually get there.”
FEU did get close in Season 81 after taking the silver medal of the competition while NU took the gold.
The podium finishes may be considered close but the scores weren’t with NU tallying 711 points while FEU finishing with 655.5, a 55.5-point difference.
San Gregorio, whose team performed with a 1970s theme, said it’s beneficial to them that the NU Pep Squad is in such a high level and it is making the FEU Cheering Squad work even harder.
“It’s actually great that the NU Pep Squad is in that level because if they’re that good, we have no choice but to really chase them,” said San Gregorio. “If we try to chase them then everyone will become better. It would be an honor to be next to them.”