By MARK REY MONTEJO
National University came out as the best and reclaimed its glory after ruling the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition at the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena Sunday, Dec. 1.
The NU Pep Squad put up an out-of-this-world performance and tallied 713 total points to secure the title it last won in 2022 and its eighth overall cheerdance crown.
“Yung suporta talaga ng management at community namin at yung program na patuloy pa rin na pinapalakas at hindi nagiging stagnant. Patuloy kami nag-a-achieve ng something new para sa UAAP Cheerdance Competition,” Bajacan said.
“Sobrang saya talaga namin. Lahat po ng sakripisyo, dugo’t pawis, nagbunga na po. Wala pong nagbago. Binalik lang namin yung tiwala namin sa isa’t isa. Binalik lang namin yung tiwala na binigay sa amin ng coaches namin,” NU Pep Squad team captain JP Cabido said.
The NU Pep Squad also swept all special awards, bagging the MWell Power Performance Award, Juicy-fied Pyramid, AIA Ascend Best Aerial Performance, Jollibee Best Toss, Silka Stay Lit Dance Move Award, Skechers Stylish Performance Award, Yamaha Most Unique Dance Move Award, and the MAX Most Synchronized Dance Move, for a total of P280,000 and a special edition UAAP x MWell Special Edition Power Watch in prizes.
This was in addition to the P100,000 they received from the league and Dunkin’ for emerging victorious in the annual competition.
NU has now tied the UP Varsity Pep Squad and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe with eight championships in league’s history.
The Adamson Pep Squad, meanwhile, eclipsed its fourth-place finish last edition with 679.5 points to snare the silver honor.
FEU Cheering Squad scored 650 points for the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, UE Pep Squad (641), UST (634.5), UP (560), La Salle Animo Squad (525) and Ateneo Blue Eagles (490) placed 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th, respectively.
