Champion NU Pep Squad wows crowd with ‘ferris wheel’ stunt

NU Pep Squad dazzles on its way to another UAAP Cheerdance title.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — National University Pep Squad highlighted its masterful title redemption in the 2024 UAAP Cheerdance Competition with a “ferris wheel” pyramid on Sunday in front of a loud 19,121 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

Entering the mats on a mission clad in NASA-inspired suits, the NU Pep squad brought the house down with gravity-defying stunts and out-of-this-world pyramids including the one that had not been done since UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe’s “helicopter” maneuver during its 2006 title run.

“Hindi rin namin inexpect na magugustuhan ng lahat yun. O helicopter pyramid. Last year kasi meron kaming tornado, yung mekus mekus na tawag. Ang daming tumawag, pero siguro it’s the ferris wheel pyramid. So salamat po sa pag-appreciate ng ginawa namin,” said Bajacan, recalling their Elvis Presley-themed performance last year, which got them the silver medal.

READ: NU Pep Squad reclaims UAAP Cheerdance crown

NU Pep Squad on its ‘Ferris wheel’ Pyramid. #UAAPCDC2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/a4L9zbfxbK

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 1, 2024

“Thank you so much sa inyong creativity sa pyramid na yun. Kami kasing coaches, hinahati namin yung task namin doon, and it’s working talaga na yung creativity namin na bawat isa ay nailalabas namin sa canvas na yun. They [athletes] are the canvas of our work talaga. Sila yung gagawa ng masterpiece namin,” added Bajacan, who credited the move to coach Carl Babilonia.

Cheerleaders Vigie Calleja and JP Cabido were surprised that their routine won the hearts of many. 

“Hindi rin namin expect na ganon yung magiging impact sa lahat ng tao. Basta kung ano yung pinagawa ng coaches, ginagawa lang po namin. Nagtitiwala lang talaga kami sa pinapagawa ng coaches,” said Calleja. “As in yung impact nagrroutine kami tapos yung sigawan ng tao, ramdam na ramdam namin na naappreciate nila yung skill na ginawa namin. Sobrang we expect the unexpected talaga nung sumalang kami.”

“Iconic po talaga yung ginawa namin. Yung championship na pyramid and we know po na yung pyramid na yun is tatatak po talaga siya. Hindi po kami makapaniwala nung umpisa nung ginawa yun. Kasi parang nakakabaliw po siya tignan and sobrang creative ng coaches kung paano nila ginawa yun sa utak nila and we are so proud po sa lahat ng mga teammates ko,” added Cabido.

READ: NU coach confident his team will find right mix for next UAAP Cheerdance

The newly-minted eight-time champion reclaimed the crown with 713 points, topping all departments with 91.5 points in stunts, 91 in tosses, 86.5 in tumbling, 85 in pyramid, and 368 in dance despite a nine-point deduction.

NU swept all eight special awards worth P 140,000 cash incentives and the grand prize of 100,000.

Bacajan, who succeeded the legendary coach Ghicka Bernabe, admitted he wasn’t expecting a masterclass performance as the last time he saw a perfect run was three weeks ago. 

“Tatlong beses po yun na sunud-sunod na nagawa nila yun. Pagkatapos ayaw pa talaga ibigay sa amin for the succeeding days. Pero yung hinihingi naming energy, yung kailangang attitude nila sa mats, napakita nila,” he said. 

“Etong performance nila sa cheerdance talaga, hindi naman sa pagmamayabang, di pa po yun yung pinaka-perfect. We want it badly na sobrang perfect, pero kailangan namin silang i-hold back kasi doon naman kami magkaka-problem yung masyado naming iisipin pa. Baka maging burden pa po doon sa kids yung ganung mindset. We have to change also paano namin aatakihin yung kanila — na maging tough yung mind talaga.”