To ramp up its chances of scoring a back-to-back feat, National University got tips from its former head coach as the Pep Squad attempts to rule the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 cheerdance competition anew this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
NU Pep Squad head coach Gab Bajacan said he was in constant touch with Ghika Bernabe.
“I’m thankful that I still got help from coach Ghika even if it is in the form of Zoom meetings,” Bajacan said during a press conference yesterday.
““I’m more on the cheerleading side and the designer of the team as well. I needed to fill in those shoes while coach Ghika was more of a motherly love type of coach. So I have to be a mother, a dancer and a cheerleader simultaneously.”
NU will rock and roll to the music of Elvis Presley-inspired tunes in its quest to beat the strong opposition.
Bernabe left NU after the school won its seventh title.
If victorious, NU will match the eight UAAP cheerdance crowns of traditional powerhouses University of the Philippines and Univeristy of Santo Tomas.
Though these are expected to crowd NU on top, the other schools are not to be taken for granted.
Adamson University will be performing a “Trolls”-inspired routine while Ateneo de Manila University will have an act based on the Super Bowl.
Far Eastern University will have a dance routine based on video games while University of the East will turn back the clock with its ‘90s performance.
UP will be dancing to the playlist of the Filipino rock band Eraserheads while UST will be showing off its moves to the tune of the Korean girl group BLACKPINK.
Only De La Salle University kept its cheerdance theme under wraps.
“We are thrilled to host the UAAP Season 86 Cheerdance Competition at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. This event is not only a showcase of the incredible talent and athleticism of our student-athletes but also a platform for schools to come together and celebrate the spirit of friendly competition,” said UAAP Season 86 executive director Atty. Rene Saguisag Jr.
UE will open the show that starts at 2 p.m. followed by NU.
Next in line are Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and the Adamson University Pep Squad.
The second half will have the University of the Philippines Pep Squad and the De La Salle University Animo Squad taking the floor in succession.
Closing the competition are last year’s runners-up, the Far Eastern University Cheering Squad, and the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe, which secured the third-place finish in the previous season.
