WITH records made to be broken, a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun was all the National U Pep Squad needed to rewrite history in UAAP Season 88.
NU clinched its ninth UAAP Cheerdance Competition crown on Saturday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena to set a new all-time league record.
The win breaks the previous mark of eight championships, a feat the Bulldogs once shared with the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the UP Varsity Pep Squad.
With a total score of 695, the blue-and-gold's “NUnjutsu”-themed routine transformed their trademark bulldogs into full-fledged dawgs, delivering a swag-filled performance clad in fierce Japanese warrior armor.
From stunts and tumbling to pyramids and dance, National U didn’t just hit its marks, it dominated the scoresheet, leaving no doubt who continues to rule the mats.
The Adamson Pep Squad finished first runner-up, while the FEU Cheering Squad was second runner-up, mirroring the same podium order from Season 87.
The Soaring Falcons took everybody on a grand journey for a total of 659 points.
The Tamaraws were just half a point behind them courtesy of their Philippine games-inspired routine. They, however, incurred a 22-point deduction due to penalties.
The UE Pep Squad (623 points) was a pleasant surprise at fourth-place on the back of its High School Musical show.
Traditional powerhouses UST and UP then landed fifth and sixth, respectively.
The UST Salinggawi celebrated Halloween inside the venue for 618.5 points, as the UP Varsity Pep Squad brought on Christmas cheer to the tune of 558 points.
At seventh was the DLSU Animo Squad (546.5 points) following their number that put baseball at the center.
And bringing up the rear were the Ateneo Blue Eagles (436.5 points) who channeled their inner "Sing" characters.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
