THE ATENEO Blue Babble Battalion placed fourth in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, as perennial powerhouses, the University of the Philippines Pep Squad, the Far Eastern University Pep Squad, and the University of Sto. Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe, took over the top three spots on September 12, at the Araneta Coliseum.

UP dominated the Samsung-hosted event, and went home with a P340,000 check. Defending champions FEU fell to second, taking home P200,000 while the UST Salinggawi catapulted themselves back to the top three, taking home a check worth P 140, 000.

The Blue Babble Battalion, unlike its competitors, did not employ a theme. “We never really have themes. Last year’s Michael Jackson theme was purely coincidental,” says Blue Babble Battalion lifter Borgy Gavina. Last year’s routine garnered them a first runner-up finish in the Cheerdance Competition.

Ateneo danced to a mash-up of different genres, ranging from Eminem’s Lose Yourself to theatrical music from the Pirates of the Carribean. Their choreography was smooth and synced, while their tosses, amazed spectators of a crowd of almost 23,000. Their costumes were a mix of white and gleaming blue, while their props consisted of flags that spelled ‘Ateneo’ and an inflatable eagle which took the Araneta crowd by surprise.

Although the Blue Babble Batallion executed their dance moves, they had difficulty making their lifts and stunts on time—according to the criteria lifts and stunts account for 10 points. Ateneo scored 78.6 % of the total 500 points (393)—significantly lower than their top three opponents.

UP’s Hala, bira! theme drew the most cheers from the crowd, as they perfected their routine with energy. They donned maroon jumpsuits with emblazoned sheaves of different colors to the waist, similar to those banners in fiestas. They scored 88.18 % (440.9 out of 500).

FEU on the other hand capitalized on their Samurai theme, wearing samurai-themed costumes and donning katanas while dancing to Japanese songs. UST followed a white tiger theme, wearing black costumes with patches of white and black stripes, while emphasizing on their upcoming quadricentennial celebration. FEU scored 84.28 % while UST scored 81.50%.

The De La Salle University’s Animo Squad came fifth, followed by the University of the East’s Pep Squad, the National University Pep Squad, and the Adamson University Pep Squad.

The panel of judges consisted of Anatoly Panasyukov of Philippine Ballet Theatre, international judge Jasmin Ortega of the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, International School-Manila, Hayden Robbie of the Committee of the Asian Cheerleading Federation, Evangeline Navarro of the Cheerleading Association of the Philippines, and Javier Beren of the Pilipinas Cheerleading Association.