Saved Princess Peach and reclaimed the cheerdance trophy.
The FEU Cheering Squad reclaimed the UAAP Cheerdance Competition crown for UAAP Season 86, getting over the heartbreak last year and becoming the bigger squad with a magic mushroom.
This time, there was no "our princess is in another castle" moment as FEU picked up its second championship in three seasons and fourth overall with a Super Mario theme last Saturday.
Coach Randell San Gregorio told One Sports' The Game that they wanted something different this year.
They've done Queen, which won them Season 84. They've done Francis M in Season 85.
And in a year where fellow contender NU Pep Squad was doing Elvis Presley and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe going all-out with BLACKPINK, FEU really had to be different.
San Gregorio got his pop of inspiration around the corner.
"Ang dami na ring nagpa-pop (culture theme). Very timely na lumabas yung movie na The Super Mario Brothers," he said. "After that, I was driving home, naisip ko lang siya tapos sinabi ko sa kanila. Nag-agree naman kami lahat."
It was a runaway hit that would make anyone say "Mamma mia!" at the end of Mario Kart.
Even though the squad was second in tumbling (88 points), stunts (84.5 points), and dance (364.5 points), it was still 5.5 points ahead of NU even without the deductions.
The key this time was learning when to stop pushing it. And that means no speedruns.
"Kailangan ma-perfect namin, hanggang sa nakuha 'yung connection last two weeks before mag-competition," co-captain Britt Gonzaga shared. "'Yun 'yung naging motivation, doon kami kumapit para mabawi namin 'yung nawalang medal last year."
"Nakuha na parang kalmado kami. 'Pag sobrang aggressive kami, 'pag na-hype, may nalalaglag," co-captain Aaron Paul Ayalin added.
"We tried our best to hit 'yung pinakamataas na possible (score) for us. 'Pag hindi kaya, nagda-downgrade kami agad. 'Pag kulang sa hinga in between segments, nagdadagdag kami agad," San Gregorio explained.
"Nung Francis M (theme), medyo napilit namin segments. Two days naghahabol, adjust. Mas naging aware kami (ngayong taon) na, 'Teka, ilang araw na lang. 'Pag 'di niyo 'to nagawa, palit na," he added.
It resulted in a much cleaner, polished, and stronger routine.
Thank you, Mario! Your quest is over. We present you a new quest. Push Button B to select a world.
(PM)