NU starflyer hospitalized after bad fall

MANILA, Philippines -  After suffering from a bad fall while attempting a complex routine during practice last month, NU Bulldogs Pep Squad starflyer Claire Cristobal is back in her usual grind.

The 18-year-old Atlag, Malolos, Bulacan pride, who wowed the crowd in the UAAP cheerdance championships last year for her complex and amazing flexibility, is out to defend the group stunts crown in the Bulldogs’ bid to sweep anew the two titles at stake.

“We were practicing at the back of the Araneta Coliseum and we were doing the dual stunts when I fell to the pavement,” recalled Cristobal, one of the most popular performers of the SM group of companies-backed NU team.

I had a little cut but the CT scan showed no damage, although the back of my head was profusely bleeding from the injury,” said Cristobal, who was immediately given treatment at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

Cristobal admitted that the experience was so traumatic it oftentimes affected her performance in practice.

“I’m a bit wary now because of the fear I  might suffer the same injury,” she said.

“There are times when I’m afraid to do the routines because I might commit the same mistake. But  I just tell myself ‘The Lord will take care of me,” said the third year BS Accounting student.

“I will try to defend the crown for NU. I promise more flexibility,” she said while vowing to come up with a more impressive routine that could rival her famous “exorcism” routine.

Cristobal will once again lead NU’s five-man group stunts, a side event of the coming UAAP season 77 cheerdance championships, set Sept. 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I am expecting a tough challenge from our rivals. But that’s okay. At least I am proud to give my best on the things I want to show,” she said.

“It’s a good chance for me to push myself beyond the limits and persevere, fight off the psychological trauma from my experience,” added Cristobal, who will be joined in the group stunts by Nerisa Pangan, Reinato Ruiz, Jeffrey Reyes and Oliver Porlaez.

NU team manager Patricia Chunsim is optimistic that NU can successfully defend the titles they won convincingly last year.

“It’s a challenge for us not just to defend the team title, but also the group stunts. And I am sure our team is ready to respond to that,” said Chunsim.