Adamson goes for great in CDC, dethrones NU

(The Adamson Pep Squad celebrates their first CDC crown. Photo by Joaquin Flores.)

FOR THE first time in history, the Adamson University (AdU) Pep Squad was crowned champion of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Cheerdance Competition held at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday.

After receiving intrigue from their last year’s second runner-up podium finish, the San Marcelino-based squad proved the allegations wrong and came back with a blast with their 80s themed performance.

The Soaring Falcons scored a total of 663.50 points, 25 points ahead of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe who bagged silver in the competition.

“Everything is just so surreal... On my first year as coach, I really never expected this,” UST coach and Salinggawi alumni Mark Anthony Chaiwalla said.

Surprisingly, the University of the East (UE) Pep Squad was hailed second runner-up, surpassing top competitors-- National University (NU) Pep Squad, University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad, and Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad.

“Sobrang happy ko and blessed namin nung tinawag kami dahil after 15 years we’re finally back sa podium,” UE Pep Captain Jerome Montenegro said in an online interview.

When asked what viewers could expect from UE, Montenegro replied, “I can say that they will see a different UE Pep Squad. Nagsimula na ‘to this year, itutuloy-tuloy na namin every year.”

The victory put an end to NU’s hope for a five-peat with an #AllOutOn5 campaign, finishing this year’s CDC in fourth place.

The Bulldogs promised to come back stronger and wiser next season.

“I guess our plan is to redesign the program and style of our routine but still maintain the strength and difficulty, focusing the team in doing different styles and mentally train them for competition,” NU Pep Squad coach Gabriel Anthony Bacajan said.

After missing Season 79 Cheerdance Competition, the UP Pep Squad returned this year and placed sixth.

The De La Salle University Animo Squad and the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion finished seventh and eighth place, respectively.

Moreover, the FEU cheering squad bagged gold in the group stunts category as Adamson obtained silver and returnee UP Pep Squad got the bronze.