Long line at Big Dome for UAAP cheerdance tickets

Close to five dozen students and alumni of UAAP schools were camping around the Araneta Coliseum premises as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the release of the cheerdance competition tickets. The group was willing to wait until 10 a.m. the next day to get sure seats for the much-coveted athletics event to be held on Saturday at 3p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. Mark Dionisio, a third year UP student who has been in line since 2:30 p.m., said being the first in line is worth the long wait, even if it meant a long and sleepless night. "I've been doing this since I started in college, all for the love of UP Pep," said Dionisio, sitting beside a plastic bag full of bottled water that he prepared for the overnight stay.

FEU freshman Dale Asuncion said he opted to line up at the Big Dome instead of getting his tickets from his school. "I want to experience this grand UAAP event," shared the HRM student. "Pahirapan makakuha ng tickets sa school kaya nandito ako with my friends." Security personnel at the Araneta Coliseum did not expect the line for the cheerdance ticket sale to start half a day before it starts. "Pag pinapaalis namin, babalik sila. Hihintayin pa namin ang desisyon ng management kung ano ang final na gagawin sa kanila," said security officer Randy Vergara. A UST alumnus, who opted not to be named, criticized the Araneta Coliseum management for its alleged lack of system in distributing tickets for the cheerdance competition. "Noon, nagkaroon ng stampede of sorts kasi lagi nilang pinapalipat ang pila, marami ring sumisingit," said the alumnus. Security personnel tried to disperse the line, declaring that the queue would start in the morning, but the students and alumni decided to stay. Only two tickets per person will be sold at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP member schools are allowed to sell tickets, but rules for the release vary. — KBK, GMA News