MANILA, Philippines - The National Univeristy Pep Squad bested a host of others to rule the National Cheerleading Championships at the Philsports Arena.
The victory augured well for the team’s bid for the UAAP crown in September where it will try to dislodge perennial champion University of the Philippines.
In less than four UAAP seasons, the NU Pep Squad, supported by Macro Industrial Packaging Products, has improved from seventh in Season 72 to third behind UP and FEU.
“We have really a serious program,†said coach Ghicka Bernabe, who takes pride in their nationwide recruitment program focusing on Palarong Pambansa talents.
Bernabe said the NU Pep Squad will go all-out to end the UP Pep Squad’s three-year domination of the UAAP Cheerdance competitions in September.
“We believe that we can beat UP this year based on our performances the last two seasons,†she said.
“However, it’s going to be a tough job since everybody wants to be No. 1. But we’re heading there. We will not stop, we want to be the best,†said team manager Pocholo Chunsim.
Although not a regular sporting discipline, the NU management believes that a sound and, more so, dominant performance in cheerleading reflects the overall well-being of each team in sports.
“It’s like the face of the organization,†said Chunsim, while revealing their chief benefactor, Hans Sy’s more stringent sporting programs that has already yielded championship this season in men’s volleyball and improved performances in other disciplines.
To better prepare themselves for the UAAP tilt, the NU Pep Squad will begin training and honing choreographic skills starting May.