AdU Pep Squad to raise the bar with Trolls-inspired routine for UAAP 86 CDC
Date Posted: December 1, 2023 at 09:03 AM
Adamson Pep Squad is set to put on their cutest Trolls impression as they soar for a spot at the podium of the UAAP Cheerdance Competition slated December 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Describing their routine for this season, Pep Squad head coach Jam Lorenzo said their piece would perk up the crowd and reach out to thems regardless of age.
“Mapapaindak kayo... and everyone can relate to our theme since gumagamit ang Trolls ng music na pangbata and pangmatanda, so both ages can relate,” he explained.
Coach Jam also disclosed that his team features 17 rookies, with some even taking the stage for their first time.
“First time na mala-lineup is more than half, out of 25, ang alam ko nasa 13 or 14 yung mga first time magcocompete so sobrang challenging sya for us,” he said, also mentioning the long journey his team took on the way to this season’s CDC.
“Our new recruits arrived mid-July tapos dumaan yung Pep Rally (for UAAP 86), yung halftime performances, and nandyan yung academicsm tapos iba din yung pressure ng preparations for CDC.”
Meanwhile, newly minted team captain John Patrick Hosana, for his part, said he has tried to be a role model through his work ethic and discipline.
Coach Jam, the coach of the AdU Pep that bagged the UAAP 80 CDC title and a former member of the squad himself, also revealed that he had to employ a more holistic training regime considering his wards’ mental health and general well-being, but later reiterated that although they were willing to listen, the cheerdancers had the responsibility to learn to bear with the rules and eventually adapt and adjust.
Asked about the results in the previous season, he said they cannot focus on one category only and maximize the capabilities of the team.
“Mahirap kasi na I-exceed yung limit ng mga bata, [so what we do is] yung hanggang sa makakaya lang nila and sa time frame na meron kami.”
Adamson is set to perform fourth after UE Pep Squad, NU Pep Squad and Ateneo Blue Babble Batallion.
More “firsts”
Various alterations to the current rules of the competition were also announced during the CDC press conference last November 29 at the Mall of Asia Arena
The annual cheer competition, though, will still maintain most of its general guidelines, namely letting the squads showcase five to six minutes of performance, however, the timer will begin once the last member of each team steps on the blue mats.
Each team will also be given up to 30 seconds of rest time to step out of the mats to recover.
Meanwhile, Patricia Bianca Valencia of the National Cheerleading Championship (NCC) will be the new head judge of the competition, owing to the pregnancy of last year’s head judge Paula Nunag.
Judges will be provided for the dance and cheer elements of the competition, where both will comprise 50% of the total scoring. Two individual juries will also be present for violations and technicalities.
A Malaysian judge was also announced to be included in this year’s pool of jurors. The president of Cheer Pilipinas will also be attending the contest.
