National University goes out of this world to claim 8th cheerdance crown

c/o UAAP

NATIONAL University soared beyond the stars, delivering an intergalactic showcase.

With a performance truly "out of this universe," the NU Pep Squad rocketed back to the top, clinching the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition, presented by MAX, title on Sunday in front of 19,121 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Under the guidance of second-year head coach Gab Bajacan, the Bulldogs returned to the cosmos of champions.

“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.

NU showcased its championship pedigree through a celestial-inspired performance, far from their Elvis Presley act in Season 86, garnering a total of 713 points by dominating all five categories: tumbling, stunts, tosses, pyramids, and dance.

As the performance peaked, the Spaceman protagonists transported the crowd to a literally and figuratively out-of-this-world experience, embarking on a journey through the eight planets of the solar system.

The routine also effortlessly integrated a fine-tuned mix of twirls, jumps, pyramids, blended flips, tumbling, and a mid-air, mounted spinning rotation while incorporating a UFO to lift the NU faithful beyond the surreal senses of gravity.

This is NU's eighth title in the competition, tying them with the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the UP Pep Squad for the most titles in UAAP Cheerdance history, further cementing their legacy as one of the most dominant squads in the competition’s history.

“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.

The Adamson Pep Squad finished a stellar second with their karaoke-inspired performance.

With an ode to beloved karaoke classics, Adamson raced to an early lead with 679.5 points before slipping down to second place for their highest CDC finish since Season 84 (2021).

Adamson swayed the Soaring Falcons faithful with a groovy yet high-risk six-minute routine inspired by the tunes of “Breathless” by The Corrs, “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

Performing last, defending champions FEU Cheering Squad rounded out the podium with a magical Frozen-themed routine, securing third place.

With Frozen’s beloved characters Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristoff leading the way, FEU brought the magic to life with a mesmerizing performance to the iconic “Let It Go,” creating a snowflake-like formation that sent chills down the crowd’s spine.

FEU edged out University of the East by a total of nine points, thanks to its stunning 82-point performance in the tumbling category compared to UE’s 60 points.

Adamson and FEU won P60,000 and P40,000 from the league and Dunkin’ for finishing as first and second runner-up, respectively.

The UE Pep Squad barely missed the podium, finishing in fourth place, followed by UST’s ‘Gawi,’ the UP Varsity Pep Squad, DLSU Animo Squad, and Ateneo Blue Eagles, in that order.