Animo Squad: Odds

On September 22, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena, eight universities will battle for the UAAP Season 75 Cheer Dance Competition (CDC) title. After an improved attempt last season, the DLSU Animo Squad is set to make another strong bid for the title.

Before the uproars, The LaSallian gives you a backstage pass in last year’s CDC.

DLSU Animo Squad – Coming to picture

Last year, the Animo squad pushed into first runner-up position, which made the team last year’s biggest winner since the squad came from a fifth place finish in the previous season.

With the new coaching system, the Taft-based squad also placed its name on the stage after missing the top three for 12 years.

Along with the veteran members, the performers amazed the audience with tumbling passes, which has been a consistent team strength. Harby Mauricio (former captain), Iya Acuña and Tasha Mendoza also led the gymnastics. The Animo Squad orchestrated high pyramids and difficult tosses, which brought the team several notches above the competition.

During the performance, Aiana Lontok dislocated her arm, but continued on.

The squad knows how to keep composure by keeping up with all the improving squads this season. It was indeed adrastic improvement for the Green Warriors.

UP Pep Squad – Champions once more

The UP Pep Squad dominated the full-housed Smart Araneta Coliseum again. The team gained its 7^th Championship title in the UAAP Cheer Dance Competition 2011.

The defending champions entered the dance floor with blond hair, dancing the tune of Madonna’s “Material Girl.” The blond-haired dancers marveled the whole coliseum, finishing the routine without error.

UP executed perfect pyramids with short transitions, which is the team’s forte. Moreover, the squad used its male members who could execute one-man stunts with one arm.

The UP Pep Squad is known for its exquisite stunts, high pyramids and striking choreography.

FEU Cheering Squad –  We were never out

Green-and-Gold was all over the Coliseum as the Tamaraws push the Tigers out of the top three.

The FEU Cheering Squad, also known as FEUCS, stepped down from bridesmaids to second runner-up. With an aim to beat the UP Pep Squad, the FEUCS went home with a lower standing from its previous place.

The Morayta-based dancers are one of the high-flyers in the competition. The team is composed of gymnasts that enabled the team to execute excellent group tumbling. The FEUCS slide down last season, but the team is definitely not out of the picture.

UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe – Trying to return the glory

The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe did not make a big finish last season after the DLSU Animo Squad took the biggest step in UAAP Cheer Dance Competition. Last year’s failed bid to come in the top three is the team’s only failed bid since 2009.

Nonetheless, more than its fourth place finish, the Salinggawi Dance Troupe gave an all-out performance during last season’s CDC by utilizing its strengths such as the team’s high triple jumps. The performers also capitalized on their strength in building high level pyramids.

The team received the biggest support from fans as a quarter of the whole coliseum roared, “GO USTE”.

UST has won the championship eight times, and most likely, this team will climb its way back into the top three.

Adamson Pep Squad – New and Improved Squad

During the last CDC, Adamson presented a new and improved team by bringing in the team’s best flyers and lifters in its performance. Coming from a last place CDC finish in 2010, the AdU Pep Squad made an astounding improvement as it climbed into fifth place.

The squad is known for its high flyers but since last year, the team has made a name for itself in clean execution of pyramids with transitions. Before, the squad always aims for highly difficult stunts that had bad execution.

Like DLSU, the Adamson Pep Squad has made a big jump in the last CDC standings.

Now that the team has gained good technical skills, many would not be surprised if the team appears in the top three for a second time after 2001. With its high tosses and difficult pyramids, this team can go a long way.

NU Pep Squad – The Might of a Bulldog

NU showcased the might of the bulldogs in its Matador-themed performance last season. The squad managed to incorporate its theme so well with the choreography, costume and props.

The Matador dance was the highlight of the team’s performance. The team conceptualized a unique theme that suited the attitude of the mighty bulldogs.

Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion – On the Road to the Top

Looking for another great finish again after 2009, the Ateneo Blue Babble Battalion was not successful in securing a spot in the top three last year. The team’s came in second to the last; the battalion’s theme resembled FEU’s Bollywood idea.

The Blue Babble Battalion is known for its extraordinary and creative stunts such as its moon walk stunt in 2009 and the team’s sitting gypsy in 2011.

The team has always had flexible performers, who are known for their premier stunt sequence.

The team lost its bid last year because the team could not hold its pyramid together. The dismounts are not synchronized, which hurt the squad’s performance.

UE Pep Squad – Fighting spirit of a warrior

Finishing last in the latest CDC, the spirit of a true warrior is still alive. In the team’s last performance, the squad managed to hit almost all of its stunts and pyramids. The team’s performance, however, was not at par with the other teams’ stunts.

Despite a lack of skilled members and its relatively late start in the CDC, the squad managed a good performance.

This young squad could still step up; it had gained much-needed exposure and experience in the last season. Like the NU Pep Squad, the team is also looking forward for a great comeback this season after the team’s first appearance in the top three last 2002.

With all the squads gearing up for Saturday’s affair, the Amino Squad has tough roads to face towards in its quest for the championship crown.