AS far as the game plan was concerned, the Far Eastern University Cheering Squad’s goal was simple: to give its routine the justice it deserves.
To their surprise, however, the Tamaraws didn’t just clinch gold, but nearly swept the special awards in the UAAP Season 86 Cheerdance Competition on Saturday.
READ FEU Cheering Squad reclaims UAAP Cheerdance title
Despite the extraordinary performance, the squad revealed its expectations were pretty basic.
“Honestly. Hindi ito yung goal namin, ang goal namin is makabuo lang, and give justice to Super Mario. No pressure manalo, the goal is to enjoy lang,” head coach Randell San Gregorio said.
Their videogame-themed performance garnered a total of 702.5 points, raking the top scores in elements like tosses, tumbling, and pyramid.
This victory was only FEU’s fourth title overall but its 21st podium finish, the most by any school in UAAP CDC history.
“Marami kaming pinagdaanan… I was so close to changing the theme for us, kasi hirap na hirap ako humanap ng dance music,” he said. “But pulling it off, we’re glad to be the first in CDC history to have a video game routine.”
San Gregorio said this win justified their ‘bubble championship’ last UAAP season 84, wherein the squad performed with only 15 members, and with less time to prepare.
“Mas makatarungan ang championship na ‘to kasi original format, iba ang 25 [members] maraming magagawa, mas masaya,” he shared.
Validation for FEU
That May victory didn’t last long for FEU, though, as 2022 had two CDC seasons, having held the Season 85 championship in December of the same year.
“Ito, buong taon namin itong madadala. Nung bubble kasi, six months lang,” San Gregorio added.
FEU team captain Sarah Quintero also shared that the squad had a tough time nursing injuries and making last-minute changes to team members.
“Sa amin, ang gusto lang namin ay mabuo ang routine, mabigyan ng justice ‘yung pinag-isipan ni coach,” she said. “May mga na-injure, nagpalit ng tao, pero kinapitan namin na kailangan bumawi.
Senior Aaron Ayalin added: “Last two weeks lang kami nagstart magbuild nang nasa ‘peak’ performance, kaya sa simula, lahat ng frustration nandon.”
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