MANILA, Philippines — FEU Street Alliance used a 1920s gangster-themed routine to stun the fancied teams and notch its first seniors crown while UST Galvanize topped the inaugural juniors division in the UAAP Streetdance Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.
The FEU Street Alliance, formed only last January, still came through with the title-clinching number that garnered them 85.75 points, beating pre-event favorites La Salle Dance Company-Street and UP Streetdance Club.
Last year’s champion La Salle settled for second with 79.50 points with its emoji-inspired number while the UP Streetdance Club, which paid homage to Original Pilipino Music in its number, collected 78.60 points for third.
“It feels so surreal. When we started the group last January, we just wanted to show something fresh. Of course, the target was to break into the top three,” said FEU Street Alliance coach Randell San Gregorio, also the coach of the FEU Cheering Squad.
It was FEU’s first streetdance crown after DLSU and UP split the titles in the first six editions of the event.
Meanwhile, UST Galvanize coach Matthew Almodovar did away with any concept or theme, simply focusing on what his charges could execute which gained the judges’ nod for a division-best 82.30 points.
“The routine worked out because I really looked into what my students could do. We didn’t simply settle on what they could do but on what they could do best,” said Almodovar, who welcomed inputs from the members themselves for their choreography.
The Baby Tamaraws Dance Company tallied 71.50 points for second while the UE Street Warriors amassed 71.10 to complete the podium finish in juniors division.
UST Prime, which executed a routine built on its Manila Zoo theme, placed fourth in the seniors category with 75.60 points after back-to-back third place finishes.
UE Street Warriors’ Hype East theme that focused on fire and strength was good for fifth with 72.20 points while the Company of Ateneo Dancers who also did not have any theme but focused on dancing and on having fun garnered 69.00 points for sixth.
NU Underdawgz piled up 67.50 points for seventh with their mafia-themed routine while Adamson Cast’s “Laklakan” theme wound up last with 57.50 points.
Rounding up the juniors division are the Zobel Dance Crew (67.00 points), NU Underdawgz (63.30), AdU Cauldron Dance Company (60.00) and UP Junior Streetdance Team (55.70) for fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place, respectively.