The Arellano Chiefsquad won its sixth straight NCAA Cheerleading championship last year during the centennial season, eclipsing the record for most consecutive titles (5) it previously shared with the equally historic UPHSD Perpsquad.
This Thursday, Arellano has the chance to make it seven in a row. Coach Lucky San Juan would love the long saga to continue, and while that is easier hoped than realized, he believes in the power of believing.
CONSISTENCY, DOMINATION
Two seasons after Arellano’s first ever cheerleading title in Season 90, its legendary run was formally launched.
In Season 92, when it bagged its second championship, the Chiefsquad started an annual and ongoing tradition of winning that has made them the immovable standard-bearers in NCAA cheerleading.
Going back to back and making it three straight were terrific, but nabbing two more in Season 98 and 99 must have triggered a realization that there is a lot more to conquer.
In Season 100, Arellano’s total score of 218.00 emerged as the best yet again to make it six straight.
The driving force, according to legendary coach Lucky San Juan, was simply the desire to chase what greatness lies beyond every win.
“Mas nananatili akong motivated, challenge kumbaga– kasi need kong habulin nang habulin [yung championship],” said Coach Lucky in a digital interview with GMA Regional TV News.
“Basta, palagi kong iniisip bawat panalo namin, hindi ako titigil. Kulang pa,” he added.
What he admits, though, is the necessary difficulty required for the task, as pressure and expectation rises proportionally.
“Wala akong choice at need ko itong trabahuhin, ito kasi yung mahirap pag defending ka, kumbaga bawal ka na matalo, i mean, mahirap yun para sa amin,” he said.
He and the team are also aware of the sacrifices that come with the commitment, and so every opportunity to win is a tribute to the athletes.
“Reward ito para sa mga batang nag-hirap ng mahabang panahon. Ito yung goal talaga namin. Gusto namin laging magbigay ng reward, sa school at sa community ng Arellano,” Coach Lucky said.
Repeating mastery this Thursday will give Arellano University its eighth total cheerleading trophy, inching a win closer to Perpetual’s all-time record of nine.
The NCAA Season 101 Cheerleading Competition takes place on March 12, Thursday, starting at 2:30 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The competition airs on GTV, and is available via livestreaming on the social media pages of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports PH.
Tickets to the live event are available at SM Tickets outlets and SMTickets.com.
