AdU Pep Squad bagged first ever UAAP Cheerdance title
The Adamson University Pep Squad claimed top honors for the first time, hindering National University Pep Squad’s five-peat dream in the 2017 UAAP Cheerdance Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday.
Photo from Rappler
Carrying out an #80sFor80 theme, the cheering squad of the Soaring Falcons heaped on an 1980s OPM hits matched with groovy moves, retro outfits, and an actual disco ball used as props.
The AdU Pep Squad performed simpler tosses and pyramids than the other competing teams, but the squad completed a clean execution of their routine.
After finishing a 2nd runner-up stretch in last year’s competition, the AdU Pep Squad reaped a high of 663.50 points, topping the Stunts and Pyramids division.
The Adamson is known to finish in the middle – either third, fourth or fifth, in any UAAP competitions and events, take this season’s UAAP Men’s Basketball Senior division where they finished in 4th place. But this time, they proved that they keep getting better and better.
Last season’s third place finish was an inspiration for them to keep the hard work and go for the gold, eventually in this season, the effort paid off.
The win broke San Marcelino-based squad’s 16-year title drought and indulged National University Pep Squad’s hunt for five straight UAAP Cheerdance Competition championships.
UST Salinggawi growled for greatness once again
After their last year’s lack for not getting a podium finish, a second place is more than enough.
University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe returned on the podium as silver medalist with their tiger-inspired routine that garnered 638.50 points and topped the Dance division.
With their new head coach, Mark Anthony Chaiwalla, adjustment and efforts were made and eventually paid off as they bagged their 17th podium finish overall.
They have a 4-point lead from third placer, UE Pep Squad.
UE Pep Squad ended 15 years of waiting
They have waited a decade and half for a podium finish, and they got it.
The University of the East Pep Squad did a phoenix-themed routine that enabled them to took home a bronze medal, after their runner-up place in 2002.
UE tallied 634.50 points – a 24-point lead from NU Pep Squad and Far Eastern University Cheering Squad.
Meanwhile, the NU Pep Squad and FEU Cheering Squad were tied in the 4th place with 610.50 points, returning University of the Philippines Pep Squad ended in 6th spot with 575.50 points, whereas De La Salle Animo Squad and Ateneo De Manila Blue Babble Battalion finished in the 7th and 8th places, with 567.50 and 558.50 points respectively.
In the Group Stunts category, the UP Pep Squad nabbed 3rd spot, champion AdU Pep Squad placed 2nd, while the FEU Cheering Squad triumphed first place.
This has been the hardest cheerdance competition to judged, according to Nikko Ramos, one of the hosts of the event, as the judges had a hard time in deciding who would take home the victory.
