UP Pep Squad acquires three-peat title in UAAP Cheerdance
DOMINATION. The UP Pep Squad has the most number of titles in the UAAP Cheerdance since its inception in 1994. Art by BJORN BIEL M. BELTRAN
The University of the Philippines proudly stood up after a major fall as they held on to their title as defending champions of the 2012 Samsung Cheerdance Competition in the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Even with the accidental fall of a female performer, the UP Pep Squad was able to grab their eighth championship crown, a sought-after title which tied with the University of Santo Tomas having the most number of wins in the annual competition.
Claiming their three-peat win, UP still won the crowd their flawless routines and simultaneous stunts despite a major setback in their final stunt, advocating the theme of freedom and equality with shaved heads.
UP is now tied with UST in terms of the most number of championships, which both stand at eight titles.
UP Pep Aquad also bagged the championship in the Group Stunts Competition, while Nicolette Erika Ambulo, also from UP Pep, was declared as the competition’s stunner.
With the jungle-inspired performance, the Far Eastern University settled for first runner-up after executing fierce stunts in their yellow and green leotards to the audience, an improvement from last year’s third place finish.
National University Pep Squad, this year’s host, secured their place at the top three for the first time with their Disney-inspired theme as the second runner-up in the competition.
The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe failed to return the crown for not being able to land in the top three standing with a festive Brazilian carnival-inspired theme, finishing off in the fourth place, same with last year’s standing.
The DLSU Animo Squad also failed to pack a punch as they fell from last year’s second place finish, passing on the top three rankings with their green boxing-inspired performance.
The Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion lost to sixth place with their routines and stunts not clean enough for the top three, with evident flaws in their Voltes V theme.
Tried to follow the trend, the Adamson Pep Squad’s K-Pop medley performance was only able to acquire seventh place.
Imitating the blonde hair of last year’s champions, the University of the East Pep Squad failed to stun the judges as they ended with a heartbreaking last place.