Head coach Ghicka Bernabe to leave NU Pep Squad after seven titles

National University Pep Squad head coach Ghicka Bernabe announced on Saturday that this will be her last season with the powerhouse cheer dance team.

Bernabe said she will leave the Sampaloc-based squad as she will get married to her Filipino-German fiance after getting engaged last January 2021.

"Last season ko man, hindi ko nabigo ang bawat supporters and lahat ng umaasa sa NU Pep Squad na kayang ibalik ang trophy na ito sa NU Pep Squad," Bernabe said.

("Even if it's my last season, I did not disappoint the supporters and those who trusted the NU Pep Squad to win back this trophy.)"

Asked about what legacy she will be leaving with the NU Pep Squad, Bernabe turned emotional.

"Siguro hindi ako 'yung right person na nasa position to tell kung anong legacy ang naiwan ko. Siguro my members and coaches na nakasama ko. I think sila makakapagsabi kung anong naiwang mark sa kasama nila si Coach Ghicka," Bernabe said.

("Maybe I'm not the right person in the position to tell what legacy I'll leave behind. I guess the members and coaches that were beside me, they could say what mark would be left by Coach Ghicka.")

NU head coach Ghicka Bernabe turned emotional as she was asked about her legacy in the team. Bernabe announced that this will be her last season. #UAAPCDC2022 pic.twitter.com/L1CK8aESpq

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) December 10, 2022

The NU Pep Squad had seven titles under Bernabe's belt.

"Seven championships, imagine that. Kahit ako 'di ko naisip na makakapagbigay ng championship sa isang school na dating nakakalimutan, hindi napapansin, akala nila 'di magaling. Sa legacy na iniwan, better ang makakasagot ay yung mga tao na nakatrabaho ko."

("Seven championships, imagine that. Even I didn't think that I could deliver a championship to a school that was once forgotten, unnoticed, and people didn't think was was excellent. But for the legacy left behind, I think the people I was able to work with would have a better answer for that.")

Bernabe said they have not yet talked about her replacement.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News