Head coach of the two-time NU Pep Squad champion Ghicka Bernabe was looking for answers on Sunday, May 22, after her team only placed third at the UAAP Season 84 Cheerdance Competition.
“If there’s a wobble doon sa segment ng stance, I don’t think that will affect entirely the team, said the 11-year tactician in a post-interview.”
She clarified, however, that there was nothing wrong with the result.
“So being in this industry for ilang taon na din, I don’t want to question the result but I believe my team did win.”
Bernabe added, “Hindi binitawan ng NU pepsquad kung ano yung expectation ng supporters namin especially with the difficulty, with the breakthtaking performance. I’m still amazed. They did amazing.”
The NU coach explained that her only wish was to have her squad perform safely. Achieving the three-peat would be a “bonus.” FEU Cheering Squad ended their title drought since first acquiring the championship in 2009.
“Up to this moment, I’m so proud of my team. Alam ko na marami pa rin kaming supporters. Siguro at this moment, mas emotional ako noong nagawa ng team ko yung performance na iyon.”
However, she is still in shock that they only went behind FEU and Adamson University.
“Unfortunately, we are not able to defend the title. Maybe na-shock pa ako. Siguro hindi ko pa napa-process at the moment.”
Bernabe then expressed her congratulatory remarks to the winners.
“I still congratulate the winners. Malapit sa puso ko yung mga teams na nanalo,” she said.
The NU went back to its usual fast-paced and high-risk, high-reward routine pumped up this year. But making the 90’s throwback music only had them finish second in all categories—tumbling, stunts, tosses, and pyramids—except in dance, where they finished third.
The Adamson Pep Squad, which was overall in second place, have finished third in all categories except dance, where they landed in second. On the other hand, FEU swept all five categories despite having a slower but clearly cleaner overall performance.
The Cheerdance Competition ended with FEU tallying 727.5, Adamson with 688.5, and 681 for NU.
