UP Pep Squad thrills, awes

MANILA, Philippines - This time, University of the Philippines won’t go home with a big fat egg.

The UP Pep Squad lorded it over the Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday, somehow soothing the bruised pride of the Fighting Maroons after their basketball team went 0-14 on the hardcourt the other day.

Before 20,950 spectators, the UP Pep Squad executed flawless routines that incorporated Filipino traditions, such as the Masskara and Panagbenga festivals, to reclaim the throne it last occupied in 2008.

“We’re able to improve on our shortcomings when we placed third last year, and today we’re able to give a performance that’s flawless and at the same time, maximized the skills of our cheerdancers,” said assistant coach NJ Antonio, whose wards started preparing for the competition back in summer.

It was the sixth overall crown in the annual event for the UP cheerdancers, who went home with the top prize of P340,000.

The Far Eastern University Cheering Squad, last year’s champion, settled for first runner up honors this time with its “Japanese samurai” concept capped by a big prop of FEU’s facade.

University of Santo Tomas’ Salinggawi Dance Troupe, which centered on the theme “Year of the Tiger” and utilized the white tiger character, placed third to make up for its failure to land in the podium in 2009.

“For me, it was a flawless routine for FEU from start to finish but I respect the decision of the judges,” said FEU mentor Jacqueline Alolor, whose squad got three second place rankings from the panel of judges. “But I’m planning to be the No. 1 again; I want to get the crown again for Morayta.”

Salinggawi, according to its coach Ryan Silva, learned from its experience last year and added more pyramids and lifts without sacrificing the dance and cheerleading aspects. The Thomasians got three third-place rankings and two second-place rankings from the judges.

Finishing fourth to eighth were Ateneo, La Salle, University of the East, National U and Adamson, in that order.