NU on ‘bark-to-back’ mission in cheerdance

MANILA, Philippines - The National University Bulldogs Pep Squad embarks on its “Bark-to-Back” mission,” determined to defend the UAAP Cheerdance Championship against a slew of challengers today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs cheerdancers broke through last year after placing sixth and third in 2011 and 2012 and are hell-bent in remaining on top and becoming only the third team to win back-to-back titles.

“Every team, no doubt, is after us. That’s why we prepared for four months in trying to perfect our routine. We know it’s not going to be easy, but we’ll surely make the competition tougher,” NU Bulldogs coach Ghicka Bernabe said in a press statement.

“Like in the past, our only objective is to show that NU is no longer the whipping boys of UAAP in cheerdancing. We’re happy to have been a catalyst in taking the competition to a higher level,” added Bernabe.

NU team captain Precious Chavez said they expect tough competition from eight-time ruler University of the Philippines Pep Squad, University Santo Tomas’ Salinggawi Dance Troupe, and Far Eastern U Cheering Squad.           

 “We will give them a good fight. Pero tingin ko mas ilag sila sa amin dahil sa kami ang defending champion tapos yung performance namin last year. Pero kami naman, hindi yung mga kalaban ang tinitignan namin kung di mas focused kami na higitan yung performance namin last year (We feel our rivals are wary of us after our performance last year. As for us, we’re just focusing on trying to surpass our performance last time),” said Chavez.

UP, out for redemption after its four-peat bid was thwarted by NU last year, sees an open race.

“Wala akong tinitignang favorite this time, not even NU (I see no team with an advantage, including NU). Sa akin kasi lahat I consider a threat, kasi every year we are always surprised with any team, kasi anybody can just come up (For me, everybody is a threat inasmuch as teams pull off surprises every year),” said UP Pep Squad coach Lala Perena.

 “It’s not a theme, it’s a team... it’s not a theme, it’s a vision. Let’s Team UP for equality!” she added.

 The competition starts at 2 p.m. with host UE touching off action followed by FEU, UP, UST, Ateneo, La Salle, Adamson and NU.

 The Bulldogs are also defending the group stunts category.

 “We’re already here. Hindi na po kami papayag na bumaba pa ulit ang estado namin. Hindi po kami nagsakripisyo nang husto para hayaang mawala pa sa amin ang korona (We won’t allow ourselves to slide down again and we’re working so hard not to let the crown slip us),” said Chavez, whose group has shown a steady rise in prominence since getting much-needed support from Macario Gaw Jr. of MacroIndustrial Group of Companies.

“We will protect our turf. Kaya nga po Bark to Back ang slogan namin ngayon (Our slogan is Bark-to-Back),” she added.