UAAP: UP Pep Squad all set to reclaim cheer crown

Assistant coach: I-dedeliver namin sa mga manonood ay saya

UP Pep Squad all set to reclaim cheer crown

By Josiah Israel Albelda

Photo from iamvishnu.multiply.com

"The joy of a spirit is the measure of its power." - Ninon de Lenclos

With only less than 24 hours remaining before the 2010 UAAP Cheerdance Competition, the University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad, one of the most storied in history, is keeping its cards close to its chest.

One thing's for sure, however. They would leave fans and the UP community happy when they strut their stuff tomorrow in this annual cheering joust. 

Of course, the jaw-dropping stunts and the amazing array of moves that the squad has been known for will be there. But it's the feeling of  "joy" that would push State U back to the pinnacle.

"Gusto naming i-deliver sa mga manonood is yung saya," Assistant Coach Nino Jose Antonio told Bilog ang Bola. "Kung gaano kasaya yung isang routine, isang performance - doon umiikot ang piyesa namin."

The Diliman-based crew has moved on from their second-runner up finish and vowed to wow the crowd when eight cheering teams clash at the Araneta Coliseum at 2:00 pm.

"Hindi na namin iniisip yung last year," added Antonio, who's been with the team, first as a dancer and then a mentor, for 12 years now. 

Level competition, grueling preparation

And while most expect UP and defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) Cheering Squad to dominate this Sunday's festivities, Antonio is not just one to count other teams out.


"Every team is a competitor," he said. "Walang team na mahina, walang team na sawsaw lang. Lahat malakas."

And what would separate State U from the rest of the pack?

"Mas maganda yung sorpresa na lang," Antonio shared. "Basta makikita pa rin nila kung paano mag-perform yung UP Pep Squad. Yung atake namin, iba."

The youthful mentor said that the group has been gradually preparing for the event since summer but only got the chance to complete their routine when classes started last June.


"Very tiring yung preparations namin," he added. "Hindi siya naging swift. We have new members. We have stunts na di ganoon ka-familiar sa mga tao. So it was really challenging."

With all these, expect UP to go all out tomorrow and help atone for the miserable season the state university's men's seniors and juniors basketball teams have had - both teams finished winless.

Antonio said, though, that this doesn't add pressure for the squad to win tomorrow.

"Nakapanalo na din naman tayo ng championships before," he said. "Having those is pressure enough. We want to add to that list of championships."

State U is gunning for its sixth championship, second in the all-time list behind Santo Tomas' eight.

"Gusto namin mapasaya yung UP community," Antonio closed. 

With no less than 20,000 spectators poised to fill the Big Dome to the rafters tomorrow, expect an unimaginable performance, powered by unparalleled prowess from an undisputed powerhouse in Philippine cheerleading.

The "Pep Squad ng Bayan" is sure to make you go home brimming with joy.