FEU Cheering Squad during the UAAP Cheerdance Competition.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
FEU Cheering Squad, which ruled last year’s event, was the last to perform with its Disney’s Frozen-themed routine good for the bronze medal after garnering 650 points following a 17-point deduction from penalties.
Letting go of their reign was painful but San Gregorio was more disappointed by the social media backlash against his team.
READ: UAAP Cheerdance: Runner-up Adamson Pep Squad wants next year’s crown
FEU Cheering Squad after settling for bronze. #UAAPCDC2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/argc6ORjEQ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 1, 2024
“Do you want us to return the trophy or give it to another school?! If I have it my way, I promise I’ll do it!” San Gregorio wrote in Filipino on his Facebook account Sunday night.
Still, San Gregorio was pleased with his team’s third-place finish—the school’s 22nd podium appearance overall–despite believing that other squads like UE Pep Squad and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe did better.
“Honestly, after our performance, sinabihan ko na sila wag mag-expect. Kasi feeling ko hindi kami papasok sa top three. Actually, ang ranking ko sa amin mga fourth or fifth. We’ve had too many mistakes. Medyo mabigat yung mga mali para isipin mo na may chance pa mag-podium. Buti na lang hinila kami ng dance core namin. Nag-second kasi kami sa dance. Pero yung cheer elements namin, tumbling lang yung Top 3 namin eh, the rest mababa yung rank,” San Gregorio said.
“Pero okay parin ito na namaintain namin yung streak na nag-podium kami and nadagdagan po yung podium finishes namin with 22.”
READ: UAAP: NU Pep Squad far from satisfied after record-tying win
LET IT GO! FEU Cheering Squad!#UAAPCDC2024#FEUrozen@INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/x8fGjFRCeF
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 1, 2024
Despite the criticisms and missed title opportunity, FEU graduating gymnast Juneric Gabotero remained thankful for their supporters.
“Sila yung nagbigay samin ng lakas. Dahil nga last to perform kami so iba rin yung pressure noon. So nung naririnig ko sila nung sumisigaw samin, tapos nakita ko pa yung mga nakacosplay, so talagang namotivate Pero, ayun sa kasamaang palad hindi rin kami nakapagdeliver sa kanila kaya, nagsosorry din po ako sa FEU community babalik po kami next year na mas matapang pa,” Gabotero said.
Althea Descutido, who played the role of Elsa, regretted letting the loud FEU crowd down at Mall of Asia Arena which drew over 19,000 spectators.
“Sobrang nanghinayang ako kasi syempre, grabe yung expectation nila samin, defending champions, pero, madami kaming mga mali na nagawa and hopefully, babawi namin yun next year,” said Descutido. “Thankful din ako kay Coach and sa mga coaches namin and yung mga nagstep up. Thankful din ako kasi nagawa nila yung part nila and most likely, yung mga rookies namin yung mga kailangan pa magstep up, kailangan pa magwork hard para mabawi namin next year yung championship.”
San Gregorio believes that their program is still title-caliber but he puts a premium on consistency as they try to reclaim the title next year.
“Well as far as program is concerned, okay naman eh. It’s just di lang talaga nabuo eh. Breaks of the game. Siguro we need to work more on our consistency, I guess. Since tuwing magdedefend nalang kami, di maganda nangyayari samin. So, kailangan namin ire-evaluate what really happened this season,” San Gregorio said. “Hopefully, we get to bounce back next year stronger. Kung ano man yung mga kulang, sana mafigure out namin along the way.“