The music of the late hiphop icon Francis M. will be the reigning champions FEU Cheering Squad’s theme come the UAAP Season 85 Cheerdance Competition.
Head coach Randell San Gregorio made the announcement himself half an hour after winning in the compressed format-CDC in the post-competition interview.
“Actually meron na kami next season. Next season, we will do Francis M,” said San Gregorio after FEU finally broke its two consecutive seasons as bridesmaids, dethroning two-time defending champion NU Pep Squad.
“Walang tago tago kasi it’s pointless to hide tapos kapag may kapareho sasabihin gumaya. Pero I don’t mind kung may kapareho. Everyone’s entitled to use any concept naman.”
True to his words, San Gregorio bared that the theme his squad used – the legendary rock band Queen – was already planned even before the pandemic started in 2020.
“‘Yung Queen bago pa mag pandemic ‘yun na talaga ‘yung gusto namin eh kasi I’ve always been a fan of their music especially Freddie Mercury. Iba talaga yung music nila. Timeless,” said the FEU head coach, who has been with the team since 2015.
“Hindi kasi namin ugali yung sinisikreto yung team kasi baka mamaya maunahan kami. Yun lang talaga yung rason ko.”
Looking at this season’s championship-clinching performance and for Season 85 where it will try to go back-to-back, there’s one common factor.
They are music icons because FEU believes the “dance” portion is one of its strengths.
So having reduced the performance time from six minutes to just three became a cause of worry for San Gregorio.
“Yung three minutes kasi parang bitin ‘yung dance eh isa yun sa strengths namin buti nga nag work kasi yung takot ko baka mababa score namin sa dance kasi nga bitin.”
Despite the slashed time though, FEU is right for believing dance is its strong suit, leading the pack with 361.5 points, 8.5 points ahead of Adamson Pep Squad who bagged second place with its cowboy-themed show.
After three silvers since San Gregorio handled FEU, he can finally call himself a champion, even in this 15-people, 3-minute format due to the COVID-19 pandemic protocols set.
“Kung ira-rank ko siya, syempre ito ‘yung sweetest pero routine-wise, we’ve had better routines, hindi lang namin na-execute nang maganda.”
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