National University regained the UAAP Cheerdance Competition yesterday following a flawless performance before a packed Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Second place went to Far Eastern University while last year’s winner Adamson settled for third place.
It was NU’s fifth crown in six years.
“The loss from last year, that’s where we got our strength to,” said NU cheerdance team captain Kevin Lacbong in Filipino. “We don’t want to feel the same experience we had last year, that’s why we really worked hard.”
“There were some misunderstandings after the loss… between athletes, coaches, management. But it was all worth it because it made us hungrier to regain the title,” Lacbong added.
NU did not incur a single penalty deduction from the five judges despite its new stunts, pyramids and tosses, earning 711 points.
“We studied new stunts, pyramids and tosses,” said NU cheerdance head coach Ghicka Bernabe. “That’s the main goal, we will try not to commit any deductions (during the routine).”
The FEU Cheering Squad placed second behind its 70s-inspired performance that earned 655.5 points while Adamson tallied 638.5 points from its Lion King hit song “The Circle of Life” performance.
Rounding out the standings were eight-time champion University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe, fourth with 638; University of the East Pep Squad, fifth with 602.5 points; the University of the Philippines Pep Squad, sixth with 568.5 points; the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion, seventh with 558 points, and De La Salle Animo Squad, eighth with 459.5 points. (Waylon Galvez)
