National University found itself back in familiar territory, delivering a performance truly “out of this universe” to claim the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition title in front of 19,121 fans on Sunday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Second-year head coach Gab Bajacan and the Bulldogs used the heartbreak of Season 86 as motivation, securing their place in history with the win. This victory tied them with the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and the UP Pep Squad for the most titles in UAAP cheerdance history.
After clinching his first-ever UAAP title, Bajacan credited his success to his long-time mentor, Ghicka Bernabe, who had coached him at San Sebastian in the NCAA. Bajacan took over Bernabe’s role in Season 86, and with Bernabe’s guidance, the Bulldogs finally returned to their championship-winning form.
Bernabe, who had taken a one-year hiatus due to migrating to Germany, returned as an assistant coach to Bajacan this season. Bajacan was quick to point out Bernabe’s nurturing “Mama Mary” personality, which complemented his own “tough love” approach.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung lagi namin sinasabi, not only ni Coach Ghika, but also ng management, is to be humble, focused, and hungry. Yan talaga yung naging mantra, not just because of coach Ghika’s personality, but yan yung mantra because of Mr. (Hans) Sy. Si Coach Ghika, yung pagiging humble niya talaga, yun yung gusto ko sa kanya kasi siya yung ‘Mama Mary’ ng team,” the Quezon City-raised coach shared with Tiebreaker Times.
“Yon kasi yung nawala sa amin, a person who has motherly love. I’m the fatherly type, yung tough love ba na sinasabi… Buti na lang talaga bumalik siya this year para tulungan ako. Sabi ko nga last year, parang hindi pa mixed yung kape, ngayon feeling ko namix na namin yung kape and masarap na yung timpla,” he continued.
Bajacan and Bernabe’s Season 87 triumph solidified their place in UAAP cheerdance history, but they’re not stopping there. Their eyes are now set on further elevating the Bulldogs’ legacy, both locally and internationally.
After a short break, the NU Pep Squad will begin preparations for the National Cheerleading Championship in March, the Philippines’ oldest and most prestigious national cheerleading competition.
A win there would secure a ticket to the Worlds, the international counterpart, where the team could learn from the best cheerleading squads globally and bring those lessons back home.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Wala pa kami naplan pero we’re looking at the Nationals kasi ‘yon ang first step to go to [the] Worlds. Kung manalo kami sa Nationals, hopefully the sport itself will be granting us na we can compete outside kasi kung sino manalo doon, they can represent the Philippines. Gustong gusto na kasi namin bumalik sa Worlds kasi doon namin makikita yung ibang stunts, hindi lang sa Youtube, personally namin makikita yung galing ng bawat team sa abroad so we can bring it home sa Philippines and siguro magexperiment din sa NU,” Bajacan shared.
“NU will continue to challenge yung mga sarili namin. Kung paano namin chinallenge yung sarili namin this season, yung maging gutom talaga sa knowledge to create something new. To not be stagnant and soon, itong ginagawa namin, siguro magrreflect din ito para makuha yung 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th championship ng NU sa cheerdance.”
