NU Pep Squad: Champion of champions

MANILA, Philippines — For this one magical moment, the National University Pep Squad reached the pedestal of UAAP cheerdance – the greatest of them all.

It was indelibly etched after the cheer dancers from Jhocson St. claimed their ninth title in UAAP Season 88 yesterday at the packed MOA Arena to become the most titled school in the sport.

There was no denying NU, using the way of the ninja theme, of this much-deserved feat, running away with the crown after eliciting the highest score of 695 points, way ahead of closest pursuers Adamson Pep Squad and Far Eastern U Cheering Squad, which received 659 and 658.5 points, respectively.

Not even a late misstep in its pyramid finale could delay what had obviously been inevitable – NU’s stratospheric ascent to the pantheon of UAAP cheerdance champions.

Left behind were University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas, once the lords of the mats more than a decade ago with eight titles apiece.

These are bygone eras now as NU had risen to the top year after year starting in 2013.

The only time it didn’t make the podium in that mind-blowing span was in 2017 when it wound up fifth while finishing third in 2021 and second in 2023 when FEU briefly delayed NU’s ascendancy by snatching first place in those seasons.

It was all NU again from there.

“It was all super worth it for all the hard work we put up and sacrifices we made. It was really a fulfilling journey for all of us,” said an ecstatic NU team captain Iris Arendain.

“We showed purpose and we stood united this year,” said NU head coach Gab Bajacan.

NU took home P50,000 for its effort.

But none matched the history the proud school had already written as champion of champions.