Bullpups expect another big finish in NCC finals

MANILA, Philippines - Five months after clinching their first ever UAAP Cheerdance crown, the National University Bulldogs Pep Squad said it is still far from reaching peak form.

“We actually have to reach our peak form – in terms of performance. We know this team still has a lot of things to show. There are still so many things to do,” said NU coach Ghicka Bernabe.

In the National Capital Region qualifier of the National Cheerleading Championships, the Sampaloc, Manila based squad set a new mark with an impressive 341.5 points, 16 points higher than the previous best score, which they also registered last year.        

And though they have dominated almost every tournament they participated in the last 12 months, Bernabe said that their Macro-LPG supported squad still has to show its full potential.

To bring their act on the international stage is also one of the team’s immediate goals.

“Our goal is to really wave our flag in international competitions some day. Right now, that is our target. We are perfecting our routines and steps so we can ready ourselves for the bigger stage one day,” said the former FEU star flyer.

“We want to conquer Asia and hopefully the world,” said Bernabe, who takes pride in her team’s record-setting performance in besting nine other tough NCR schools, including UAAP rivals UST, UE and Ateneo in the NCC qualifier.

Veteran cheerleading judge Paula Nunag said that NU is indeed the present powerhouse of Philippine cheerdance and believes the Bulldogs “stand a good chance at faring well on the international stage.”

“Over the last few years, they’ve made great strides in developing their routines. They’ve improved a lot. Ang taas na ng naging jump nila,” said Nunag.

“Their focus is to improve and outdo themselves every time. Yes, they can be the country’s biggest hope in international competitions. One step at a time like they did in local tournaments, may chance sila (sa abroad),” added Nunag.

NU is now priming up for its title retention bid in the NCC national finals set March 9 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena with 24 other teams from different parts of the country competing.

“These are the baby steps to our mission of finally hitting the bigger stage (the Asia and the world). And of course, defending the NCC title is another steps towards defending our UAAP crown,” said Bernabe.

The NU Bulldogs pep squad is comprised of young dancers, gymnasts and aerial acrobats.