The Morayta-based cheerdancers were remorseful to the FEU community following a 3rd-place finish in the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition.
The FEU Cheering Squad found themselves red-faced after failing to defend their crown in the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition in front of numerous supporters at the Mall of Asia Arena last weekend.
Unable to accomplish a clean routine with their Frozen-inspired performance, last year’s champions slid to third place behind now 8-time champion NU and second-placer Adamson.
Having performed last among the eight member schools, the FEU Cheering Squad buckled under pressure and committed crucial mistakes that eventually cost them the crown, with NU tying the league record for most CDC championships after reclaiming the top spot of the podium.
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After the contest, FEU head coach Randell San Gregorio expressed his regret at having failed to live up to the hype of the Morayta-based community.
“Actually, medyo nahihiya nga ako eh. To be honest. Kasi first time ko to na in my nine CDCs with FEU, first time ko to na ganon yung crowd samin. I mean, they’ve always been there for us, pero iba yung hype this year eh. Parang mas hype pa sila samin,” he said.
“So in a way, ako personally, nahihiya ako kasi di kami nag-deliver. Kasi like yung mga nag-cosplay kanina, wala yun dati. Usually, naka-normal lang sila, normal crowd. Pero ngayon talagang pati sila nag-ready sila with us. Bonggang bongga rin sila,” San Gregorio added.
Always a hit with UAAP students and alumni alike, this year’s edition of the CDC drew over 19,000 paying spectators at the Pasay City venue, with a good chunk of them rooting for the defending champions.
Though lamenting the way that they performed in front of their adoring crowd, San Gregorio could only hope that the support doesn’t die down, and that they’ll continue to show up for the FEU Cheering Squad.
“Sana hopefully di yun mamatay and yung FEU community naman lagi naman yang silent lang yung mga fans namin, yung mga supporters, pero lagi yan, pagka-ano… pag competition na andiyan sila parati. So yun, if I’m being honest, pasensya na po sa community namin for not delivering,” he said.
Despite the stinging loss, FEU continues to be among the most successful programs in UAAP Cheerdance history. Currently, they have the most podium finishes for a single school with 22, on top of four championships.
This, at the very least, is something that San Gregorio can take refuge in.
“Hopefully, we get to bounce back next year stronger. Kung ano man yung mga kulang, sana ma-figure out namin along the way. Pero as far as program is concerned kasi siguro naman… Yung [22] podium finishes, di ano yun kasi, record yun. So yun lang talaga. We need to be consistent,” he said.