DETHRONED champion National University Pep Squad remained confident that the sad end to their five-peat bid only pushed them to be better and hungrier for the next UAAP Cheerdance Competition.
After ruling one of the most anticipated events in the UAAP calendar the past four years, the Season 80 favorites started on the wrong foot with a couple of unsuccessful lifts and incomplete pyramids.
The clean finish was not enough to overcome the poor start as the four-time champs finished fourth, tied with Far Eastern University Pep Squad, with a total of 610.50 points, while Adamson Pep Squad bagged its first title in the competition that started in 1994.
Missing out on the podium, however, did not dent NU Pep Squad's confidence for next season.
“Syempre po masakit kasi four-peat champions kami tapos ‘di namin nakuha ‘yung five-peat, nag-fail kami,” said NU Pep Squad captain Aiza Aleman. "Pero it doesn't mean na magsa-stop kami dun, it doesn't mean na ‘yung faith namin kay God nagsa-stop dun. Kumbaga, noong nag-fail kami, lalong lumakas ‘yung faith namin kay God.”
Despite the heartbreak, Aleman remained optimistic for the team, which has gone through a lot before making it to the top.
“NU is still NU. Kung ano ‘yung legacy ng NU, ‘di pa rin ‘yun magsa-stop. It doesn't mean na natalo kami ngayon, hindi kami magaling. Alam naming walang permanente sa mundo,” she said. “Kailangan namin mag move on, kailangan namin mag move forward, kaya kailangan namin maging malakas pa.”
“Alam naming masakit, mahirap, pero mag mo-move on kami, mag-mo-move forward kami,” Aleman added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph