ADAMSON University Pep Squad claimed its first title in the in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, getting the judges’ nod with an 80s theme on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
The San Marcelino-based dancers brought back the audience back in time with its 80’s music of VST & Co. matched with energetic dance moves and retro outfit to pull off the disco feel to garner a total of 663.50 points.
“Pagkatapos ng ilang taon simula noong naging cheerleader ako since 2007 until 2012 sobrang sabi ko this year hindi ko alam kung nanaginip ako,” said Adamson Pep Squad coach Jam Lorenzo.
“Sanay ako na laging UP, UST, NU. It was surreal sobrang magical ng feeling,” he added.
AdU Pep Squad became the fifth team to win the competition, joining University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe and University of the Philippines Pep Squad, owner of eight titles each, National University Pep Squad with four and Far Eastern University Cheering Squad with two.
The event drew 19, 851 fans and a big part of the crowd chanted ‘Adamson! Adamson!’ before the winner was announced.
NU Pep Squad fell short in its bid for a fifth consecutive title, and UST Salinggawi remains the only team to pull off the feat, from 2002-2006.
“Noong na announce na gold kami sabi ko ‘Lord totoo ba to? Gisingin niyo ko’ I was really really speechless, ‘di ko alam unang iisipin ko,” said Lorenzo.
UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe placed second, overcoming a couple of falls at the start with a strong finish of stunts and pyramids.
Gawi, which topped the dance department, had a total of 638.50 points.
“Sorbing crazy kasi sobrang unexpected. I have faith in my kids and in my team pero kasi it’s everybody’s ball game,” said UST Salinggawi coach Mark Chaiwalla.
“Kanina natapos nila and everyone’s safe I’m already thankful with that then nag-first runner up pa I’m much, much more thankful,” he added.
University of the East Pep Squad took third place with a phoenix-inspired performance.
“Nag-uusap na kami kung ano ang magiging theme so dahil nga sabi nila palagi na we always fall down, during competition lagi naming tumutupi, lagi kaming nahihirapan so we think of something more relevant to our team,” said UE Pep Squad coach Dico Ili.
“So inisip namin na just like the phoenix how it rises, after it rises it will stay there muna until the time that it has to be reborn again or for the rebirth again,” he added. “Oo, pinanindigan talaga namin ang phoenix namin.”
Meanwhile, dethroned champion NU pep Squad and FEU Cheering Squad were tied for fourth with 610.50 points, returning UP Pep Squad came in sixth with 575.50, La Salle was seventh with 567.50 points and Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion was at eighth with 558.50 points.
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