UP Pep Squad leads PHL team in int’l cheerleading tilt

Two months after bagging their 4th UAAP cheer dance crown in five years, the University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad will lead the country’s contingent on November 26 and 27 for the 6th Cheerleading World Championships in Hong Kong. Also composed of members from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Stars Cheerleading Team and Centro Escolar University (CEU)Lady Scorpions, the Philippine team presented their competition routines in a send-off ceremony at UP on Sunday. “(We feel) honored but pressured," said Kae Madrigal, the overall captain of the Philippine Team. “There are lots of people to handle, but I still have the captains of PUP and CEU to help me out."

UP, PUP, and CEU will compete against one another in the Group Stunt-Mixed and Partner Stunts categories while PUP and CEU face each other in the Group Stunt- All Female category. But a win by any group in any category is a win for the whole team, said Cheerleading Philippines Federation president Evan Alvia. “This is the first time that the Philippines will be participating in the Cheerleading World Championship," said Alvia. “We’re sending a team of 55 athletes, that’s double the amount of athletes that other countries will have." CEU will be the team’s bet for the Cheer All Female category while UP will carry the national colors in the Cheer Mixed and Cheer Dance Categories. The send-off ceremony also recognized the team’s competition sponsors, including Philippine National Men’s Football manager Dan Palami. The UP Pep Squad also thanked supporters of their Mat Project, an effort to replace their old training mats after their recent UAAP victory. - OMG, GMA News