By NIKOLE JAVIER
UAAP Season 85 Cheerdance Competition will revert to its full pre-pandemic format when one of the league’s biggest attractions is held on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After a limited run on May this year, all eight teams are expected to bring back a maximum of 25 performers on the floor and execute a six-minute routine in front of an expected full crowd.
“Mas maraming time yung mga performers to enjoy their routine,” said UAAP special events committee chairman Gigi Kamus of University of Santo Tomas during Sunday’s presser at the Mall of Asia Arena. “We will have a full house this time. We will have drums, two bass, and two snares.”
So excited with the development that some of the pep squads gave a hint of what to expect from them comes Saturday.
But all eyes will be on defending champion Far Eastern University which was the first to reveal that it will be paying homage to the late Francis Magalona in its routine.
The FEU pep squad will be the sixth to perform while season-host Adamson was drawn to take the stage first followed by University of the East, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle and Ateneo while past champions National University and University of the Philippines will close out the show.
With two competitions slated in a single year, FEU is excited and pressured at the same as it goes for a back-to-back.
“We focus on conditioning also. Lahat ng means necessary to come up with a routine na fit to defend the crown this year. Our theme for the bubble was Queen, so for this year it’s Francis Magalona,” said FEU coach Randel San Gregorio.
“First time magde-defend ang FEU in 13 years. Sana mabuo namin. Mas triple ang kaba kaysa sa excitement. Ibang level ng pressure ito.”
