UP makes it three at UAAP Cheerdance Competition

THREE-PEAT FOR UP. The University of the Philippines shows off its winning form as it tops the UAAP Cheerdance Competition for the third straight year. Photo by JASMINE PAYO/Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Even a major error in its final stunt couldn’t stop the University of the Philippines pep squad from reigning in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, becoming champions for the third straight year.

The eigh-time champions stayed true to their theme of “freedom and equality” as everyone in the squad, even the women performers, went bald for Saturday’s event at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was actually the second “three-peat” for UP — the last from 1999 to 2001.

They also tied the University of Sto. Tomas with the most number of titles.

The UP pep squad’s overall performance, with its ingenious dance moves, was enough to bring home the crown despite a fall by one of the dancers in its final stunt.

The Far Eastern University’s fierce and wild performance, which gave the crowd the feel of the jungle, was good for first runner-up – an improvement from its last year’s third place finish.

UP fans show their support for their pep squad, forming the bulk of the 19, 509 spectators that filled up the Mall of Asia Arena for the UAAP cheerdance competition Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012. CELEST FLORES/INQUIRER.net

The National University Pep Squad’s Disney-inspired routine, meanwhile, got a happy ending as it barged into the top three for the first time.

It was a festive Brazilian carnival-themed performance for the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe that missed out on a chance to remain the only squad in history to bag eight titles.

This year also marked the back-to-back losses for Salinggawi,, which finished fourth again.

The DLSU Animo Squad packed a punch but failed to score a knockout with its boxing-inspired performance, missing out on the top three honors after a first runner-up finish last year.

As far as the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion, with their sleek black, blue and white costume, is concerned, not even Voltes V could save them from a sixth place finish.

The Adamson Pep Squad tried to win the judges over with a K-pop performance “Gangnam Style” but could only muster seventh place.

The University of the East Pep Squad rocked The Arena with their red cape and blonde “do” but ended last.

Originally posted at 6:01 p.m.