The captains and coaches of the UAAP pep squads. UAAP MediaMANILA -- The league's pep squads will have their turn on the spotlight on Sunday when the highly-anticipated 2024 UAAP Cheerdance Competition takes place at the Mall of Asia Arena.

From performing brief routines during the halftime of basketball games, all attention will now be on the pep squads in the centerpiece event.

Set to defend their title is the Far Eastern University Cheering Squad, which has won two of the last three editions of the UAAP CDC.

They will perform last among the eight squads, unleashing the "Frozen" theme.

"As far as defending is concerned, hindi kami talaga nagfo-focus doon. The focus namin is to hit the routine. That's the only premise needed. Kung panalo, thank you, kung hindi, okay lang din, basta buo yung run ng team para sulit yung pinagharapan for the past six to eight months," said head coach Randell San Gregorio.

"Walang bawi ito eh, like the other sports na may next game. Dito, next year na yung next game. Every year bago, so kung mabubuo, may chance. Kung hindi, mas less yung chance. Basically, kailangan lang mabuo yung routine," he added.

READ: What to expect in the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition

Looking to spoil FEU's title defense, the National University Pep Squad aims to take the crowd on an intergalactic journey with a space-themed performance.

The NU Pep Squad, who previously claimed seven of the last ten titles, is eager to reclaim its throne.

"For us with the NU Pep Squad, siguro we still stay with our program and our system. We still believe yung effectivity nito. Through the years naman naging maganda pa rin yung performance ng NU. We believe pa rin yung program namin is capable of winning championships in the future and this Season 87," said second-year head coach Gabriel Bajacan.

Meanwhile, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe seeks to reestablish itself as the true "warriors" of the CDC.

'Gawi,' tied with the University of the Philippines for the most CDC titles at eight, will depart from modernity to ignite childhood nostalgia with a Batang '90s routine.

"When it comes to the battle for the crown, year after year, it's really unexpected. All of the teams here are putting their hearts out on the mats. Every team is stepping up their game year after year. For certain seasons, you cannot predict who's going to be the champion. All of these teams are going to be a contender out there," UST head coach Mark Chaiwalla shared.

The UP Varsity Pep Squad, also with eight titles, will perform fifth and promises to bring the heat with a summer-inspired theme.

Opening the eight-team competition will be the Ateneo Blue Eagles, retelling the story of the universe's origin with a cosmic narrative.

The University of the East Pep Squad aims to make waves by honoring the iconic Filipino girl group, the Sexbomb Dancers, while the Adamson Pep Squad will serenade the crowd with beloved karaoke classics.

The De La Salle University Animo Squad will embody the "kings and queens" of the UAAP battlefield with an intense chess and battle-themed routine.

Minimal changes in judging criteria will be implemented this year, according to CDC technical head Paula Nunag.

As in previous seasons, the judging criteria remain consistent, with all judges certified by the International Cheer Union (ICU), the global governing body of cheer, which is accredited by the International Olympic Committee. 

The panel of eight judges will be split into two categories: cheer and dance.

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