With 2nd straight UAAP cheerdance crown, NU hopes to continue 'zero to hero legacy'

The National University Pep Squad defended its UAAP Cheer Dance Competition crown with its Pocahontas-themed routine on Sunday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

NU, who bagged the championship for the first time last year, got the highest score in tumbling, stunts, pyramids, and dance for a total of 677.5 points. They lorded every department except for the tosses, which was topped by fourth placer Adamson University.

"In-expect namin na lahat ng team mag-e-evolve talaga. Lahat ng team gagaling, alam namin lahat sila mag lelevel up," said NU coach Ghicka Bernabe after the awarding ceremonies.

"So kami bago pa sila mag level up nag-a-advance na kami dun sa pang next year pa."

Asked what could be expected of her squad next year, Bernabe said she aims to maintain the championship streak.

"Hindi ko siguro basta-basta bibitawan yung two-peat championship ngayon," Bernabe said.

"Isang malaking challenge sa 'kin kung paano ko itutuloy 'tong legacy ng NU from zero to hero."



Bernabe said that NU's inital concept was similar to La Salle's inter-galatic theme, but they eventually changed it into the Native American routine.

"Parang mas masayang sayawin, mas entertaining. Para lahat makakarelate, hindi lang siya bata, hindi lang siya matanda, kasi lahat naman napanood yun," the coach said.

She also added that it is a challenge to avoid coming up with a similar theme to other squads every year:

"This coming season, siguro mas mag-iisip pa kami ng mga bagay na hindi maiisip ng ibang coaches. Out of the box."

In the group stunt competition, the Bulldogs, led by Claire Cristobal, slid down to third place after bagging the championship last year. The team was the favorite to win after their bone-breaking stunts in 2013.

Bernabe, however, said they are not disappointed by the result.

"Sa amin kasi, i-perfect n'yo 'yung routine, 'yun na 'yun e, nasatisfy n'yo na 'yung mga sarili n'yo," Bernabe said.

"Hindi kami masyadong nag-iisip ng trophy, ng reward. Ang iniisip namin, flawless routine. Everything will follow after that."

FEU notched the championship in the group stunt, while UST took the second place for a successful comeback year.

Eight-time champion University of the Philippines duplicated its first runner-up finish last year with a rainbow-themed routine, while the University of Santo Tomas barged into the podium for the first time since they finished second runner-up in 2010.

Powerhouse team Far Eastern University missed the podium for the second straight year, finishing fifth with their Chinese-themed routine. Last year's second runner-up De La University also dropped to sixth place, followed by the University of the East and the Ateneo de Manila University. - RAF/JST, GMA News/Photos by KC Cruz