NU Pep Squad claims its eighth UAAP Cheerdance title.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — National University Pep Squad coach Gab Bajacan savored winning his first UAAP Cheerdance Competition championship after a runner-up debut last year.

Taking over a winning program from a multi-titled coach Ghicka Bernabe entails a huge responsibility and immense pressure. But that only brought the best in Bajacan and his team, which joined the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and UP Pep Squad with the most number of UAAP Cheerdance titles at eight.

“Test run lang yung last year kung kakayanin talaga ng team pa rin na ituloy yun. Ngayon, it’s a testament already that it’s still working. We will continue and improve it for the next seasons,” said Bajacan, who used to be Bernabe’s assistant coach in their first championships.

Not eight, not nine, not 10, not 11…

NU Pep Squad wants more. #UAAPCDC2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/3x5gWUQp2Z

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) December 1, 2024

“It’s the whole coaching staff talaga. We designed the program for these athletes to be the champion for this sport. Yung program, yung system na binuo pa namin since 2011 and still, nagwo-work pa rin siya. Kino-continue ko lang kung ano yung naumpisahan namin way back 2011. I’m very thankful na yung programa na yun, hindi pa rin kami pinabayaan.”

With his Elvis Presley-themed routine only getting silver last year, Bajacan and his coaching staff decided to go out of this world to find their way back on top.

“Every night ko po yun iniisip kasi it was a pressure sa akin personally yung last year, kasi ang daming nangyari sa team namin na yun. Andaming nawala, may nadagdag, tapos hindi pa kami magka-jive nung ibang coaches pa kasi sobrang bago lahat yung iba doon. Ang hirap noon, and then, nag-dwell talaga ako nang sobrang tagal doon,” Bajacan said.

“Natatakot ako kasi yung ginawa ng mga previous coaches, coach Ghicka at yung kasamang coaching staff also, yung pressure na ibibigay na sayo yung baton na yun. Sobrang bigat, kahit yung pagkapanalo namin, hindi pa rin talaga ako makapaniwala na nangyari tong eight-time champion na yung NU Pep Squad.”

Bajacan went around the country to find the right pieces, recruiting in provinces and forming a creative and championship-caliber performance.

“Sila yung nagre-represent ng Philippines. All over the Philippines, we recruit them. Nakikita namin yung effectivity nun and nakakatulong kami sa kanila to study and get opportunities outside after cheerdance,” he said.

After creating his legacy, Bajacan has no plans of slowing down as he seeks to win more to stay on top of the competition and eyes exposure in international competitions.

“Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy ng nine, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, kung kaya po talaga namin, we will do so,” he said. “Lagi naming sinasabi na lagi kaming kulang para meron kaming room for improvement, and also, inulit ko rin last time, ayaw namin maging stagnant. We want every athlete namin, even the coaches, na mag-aral talaga. Mag-improve pa sa craft. Ayaw po naming sabihin na magaling na tayo. Hindi, lahat yun meron pa kaming pagkukulang.”

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.kabibe game

• kabibe game
• UAAP
• NU
• Pep
• Squad