Powerhouse NU eyes repeat, ninth overall UAAP Cheerdance crown

MANILA, Philippines — National University wants a lone view at the summit when it aims to be the winningest squad in the UAAP Season 88 Cheerdance Competition Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After a triumphant title-redemption bid last year, the NU Pep squad shoots for back-to-back and ninth overall crown to break free from storied UP Pep Squad and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe as the most successful cheering squad in history.

All three squads albeit UP and UST have not won for more than a decade are tied atop of the UAAP echelon with eight titles.

UST holds the longest reign with five straight titles from 2002-2006 — its last one — while UP had two three-peat feats during the late 90s and early 2010s.

Since then, NU has been the UAAP’s barometer with eight crowns in the last 11 seasons.

Another one is now up for the taking starting at 2 p.m., with the NU Pep Squad parading a ninja-inspired performance featuring fast-paced stunts and a unique approach to stamp cheerdance artistry.

“This year talaga, since yung last year’s performance ay napaka-challenging yung pinerform ng ating mga competitors, it helps us talaga since we're motivated to create more. Kailangan din namin talunin kung ano ‘yung mga nakita naming maganda sa kanila. ‘Yun yung pinaghandaan namin this year and to create new stuff for the competition and for the sport itself,” said NU head coach Gab Bajacan.

Clad in space suits, NU last year showcased an otherworldly and flawless routine inspired by the space and time universal concept to prevail over Adamson Pep Squad (Karaoke) and FEU Cheering Squad (Disney film ‘Frozen’).

Season 87 host UP will open the show with a Christmas theme, followed by the UE Pep Squad (Disney film "High School Musical"), Adamson Pep Squad (narrative), La Salle Animo Squad (baseball), Ateneo Blue Eagles (animated film "Sing") and NU.

The FEU Cheering Squad, the Season 87 champion, then parades a Philippine street games-themed routine before Season 88 host UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe serves as the finale with a Halloween-inspired performance.

More than the dancing, flipping, grooving, tumbling and stunting though, the UAAP’s most-awaited cheerdance competition will serve as a united stand for eight member schools against corruption a day before the national rallies set on Bonifacio Day.

The UAAP, aligned with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, calls on all the fans to wear white as collective action against corruption and advocacy for accountability with a "Passion for Victory, Passion for Integrity" theme.

“The Cheerdance Competition is not only a showcase of skill and teamwork but also a platform to inspire values-driven action. We hope that this initiative encourages everyone in our community to stand together for integrity and hope,” said UAAP Season 88 President Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP of UST.