As UAAP Season 85 came to a close, the stage was set for the UAAP’s student-artists to battle it out in the long-awaited Streetdance Competition earlier today, May 27, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. It had been four years since the last competition was held, further igniting their fiery performances. Hungry for their returns, the dance troupes gave it their all for the glory of their respective teams and universities. Despite a clean and powerful performance that evoked Pinoy nostalgia, La Salle Dance Company-Street (LSDC-S) failed to defend the crown, finishing in seventh place with a score of 420.
UST-Prime bagged their first championship in the competition’s brief history, proving themselves to be a cut above the rest with 448 points. Meanwhile, the NU Dance Company and UP Street Dance Club placed first and second runners-up as they garnered 446 and 437.5 points, respectively.
Stepping back into the spotlight
Kicking off the college division of the competition was the NU Dance Company, who donned their flight jackets with an aeronautics-inspired theme. High-flying stunts that involved multiple flips and their waacking-style segment to songs by Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, and more were what made the first performers soar, setting a standard for the rest of the competitors.
Next in line were the 2019 second-placers, FEU Street Alliance, in their gray and black outfits embellished with colors of the Filipino flag. It was a mixture of krumping and femme-influenced choreography for the Morayta-based team, who featured OPM music in their piece.
Defending the crown for the next performance were the four-time champions—out of the eight competitions in the UAAP’s history—LSDC-S. The crew featured a variety of genres, but their theme of Filipino childhood games proved to be unique. The Taft-based team’s routine stood out with their storytelling, while they grooved out to songs mixed with Filipino chants and rhymes. Sporting green and white outfits accessorized with wrist tapes and headbands, La Salle excelled with their technicality and musicality that were brought to life with evocative facial expressions.
Fourth to perform was UST-Prime with costumes and music inspired by toys such as soldiers, Legos, and Barbie dolls. The team featured clean formations and elements that included movements mimicking the toys they were representing. Seeking their first title after two bronze finishes in 2016 and 2017, UST started strong and caught the eyes of spectators with sharp movements throughout their performance.
The Company of Ateneo Dancers went next with their funk and jazz piece. Showcasing their abilities with floorwork and partnering segments, the Katipunan-based crew stayed true to their theme of magic, supported by their bright blue and white formal costumes.
Not backing down from their neighbors from the north, the UP Street Dance Club took the floor for the sixth performance of the day. With their maroon and brown uniforms, UP took blending genres to a different level, often featuring steps in unison with compressed formations. The Street Dance Club ended their performance with an ode to the legend Malakas at Maganda while imitating their famed Oblation statue.
Concluding the competition were Season 85’s hosts, Adamson University Dance Company Street. With matching pink and blue costumes inspired by characters Barbie and Ken, the team started with the dubstep genre and followed with a combination of popping and waacking. The team ended with steps showcasing doll-like movements, staying true to their concept.
Opportunity to climb back
After being unable to secure a podium finish, La Salle’s LSDC-S looks on the brighter side as they are eager to bounce back. It is the Taft-based crew’s first-ever finish outside the top three since the establishment of the competition in 2011. Taft’s pride continues to look forward to the next season’s street dance competition, eager to reclaim the crown and reestablish their dominance in the dance scene.
