The UAAP will introduce a rotation system for the Cheerdance Competition performance order, starting this Season 88 where the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe will perform last.
Season host University of Santo Tomas will perform last in the UAAP Season 88 Cheerdance Competition, set for November 29, 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
For the first time, no drawing of lots was held during the initial coaches’ meeting for the competition, which is backed by BIC and took place Saturday at World Kitchens in Gateway 2 Mall.
Instead, the performance order for the one-day special event is determined by the season-hosting rotation.
“Every team will now have an equal opportunity to experience when to perform and everyone gets the chance to go through the entire order of performance,” said UAAP Cheerdance Commissioner Paula Nunag, joined by head judge Bianca Valencia; UAAP Board of Managing Directors members Jen Saret of Ateneo de Manila University and Gigi Kamus of UST; and Ateneo Student-Athlete Services Officer of the Office of College Athletics Trina Aligada.
This means the first to perform this year will be Season 87 host, the University of the Philippines Pep Squad.
They will be followed by the UE Pep Squad, Adamson Pep Squad, DLSU Animo Squad, Ateneo Blue Eagles, NU Pep Squad, FEU Cheering Squad, and the Salinggawi Dance Troupe.
Coaches welcomed the change as it allows them to plan better for each season.
“I’m happy na nakapag-decide na rin yung UAAP na maging regular na yung rotation for the order of performance. Mas easier na namin paghahandaan ang bawat season. It’s either you be the first, second, third, or so on,” said Gab Bajacan, coach of defending champion NU Pep Squad, which will perform sixth this season.
“Paghahandaan na siya ng teams ngayon. Sabi nga ng ating board members na mapapakita na na porke’t first ka, you cannot win. Ready kaming mga UAAP schools and we experienced performing first so it’s a learning experience for us.”
“To be honest, I really find it really refreshing because it gives everyone the chance to be in all of the spots. I also feel that it is the fairest way to determine the sequences kasi nga lahat will go through one to eight throughout the cycle. For me, I support the new system,” added UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe head coach Mark Chaiwalla.
Knowing the order in advance won’t change the way they train, Bajacan added.
“Wala. Tuloy lang yung gagawin ng bawat isa. We have to keep in mind lang yung safety. Walang mababago,” he said.
Performing last this year is a welcome development for Chaiwalla, but he is already thinking ahead to UAAP Season 89, when they will open the program.
“For this year, we will be the last to perform and I’m also very happy with that. It reminds us of what happened two years ago, our ‘BLACKPINK’ season,” he recalled as that performance gave UST third place.
“The next year is going to be a challenge naman because we are going to be first for the first time. It’s going to be a challenge but we are excited for that.”