UAAP Cheerdance competition: Here comes UP Pep Squad

THIS time, when University of the Philippines jumps into the hardcourt, it will be a heavy favorite. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

BRACE yourselves for University of the Philippines.

After another season of heartaches in the UAAP’s centerpiece men’s basketball tournament, UP is expected to unleash yet another spectacular show when it returns to the hardcourt in a marquee event that it has dominated the past few years.

The UP Pep Squad aims for a third straight championship in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition today, and it is favored to rule the event featuring top dance crews.

Pulling off a surprise Madonna-inspired routine last year, the Maroons have again kept their number under wraps in a field where the Far Eastern U Cheering Squad is also a solid favorite and where the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe tries to recapture its old glory.

The league’s annual side show—which packs a huge crowd that rivals the league’s biggest games—kicks off at 2 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.

Hoping to pull off upsets are the Adamson Pep Squad, Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion, National University Pep Squad, University of the East Pep Squad and the La Salle Animo Squad, which emerged a surprise runner-up last year.

Another UP victory will put the Diliman-based squad into a tie with UST for the most number of overall titles at eight.

UST, however, has not won the crown since 2006 and has only earned a podium finish once in the last three years.

FEU, which last reigned in 2009, has also impressively figured in the top three in the last nine seasons.

UP (1-13) again finished at the cellars of this season’s basketball action, which resumes tomorrow with FEU and NU battling anew in a game ordered replayed by the UAAP Board.

The Tams (9-4) and the Bulldogs (8-5) remain in contention for the last two Final Four slots along with the idle Green Archers (9-5).