By Krizza Gabrielle Tabora

Far Eastern University Cheering Squad (FEUCS) head coach Randell San Gregorio answered back at the long-standing criticisms of the squad’s past routines by printing the remarks on their shirts during their bronze-finish routine in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Cheerdance Competition yesterday, November 29, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

“Favorite kami ng mga bashers. Lahat ng nakasulat doon, ayun ‘yung nababasa namin—mahina, mabagal routine, walang difficulty. Pero ‘pag ginawa namin, sinusunod din ng ibang school (Everything written there reflects what we usually read about us-–that our routine is weak, slow, and lacks difficulty. But when we do it, other schools end up following it too). I think we're setting a trend; if I’m being really confident about it, may brilliance talaga lahat ng team, and nagkataon lang na gumagana ‘yung gimmick namin (It just happens that our gimmick works),” San Gregorio said during the post-event media conference.

Powering through the noise, the green-and-gold squad notched its seventh straight podium finish that started during Season 81, further cementing their status as the league’s most decorated team with the most top-three finishes. 

Coach Randell explained that while their routine drew inspiration from childhood Filipino games, they leaned heavily on the ‘Batang Pasaway’ concept as a response to the barrage of public criticism.

“Just to be clear, ‘yung tema namin [ay] larong ‘90s, pero more on the ‘pasaway’ side. So sabi ko, dahil ayun naman ‘yung ginagawa sa atin, ayun na lang din ‘yung ilagay natin sa mga sando natin (Just to be clear, our theme is ‘90s games, but it leans more toward the ‘mischievous’ side. So I said, since that is what’s being done to us, we might as well put that on our shirts too),” he said.

While these opinions continue to fuel the Tamaraws’ drive to charge forward, the lead tactician made it clear that he will not stand by and condone the personal attacks thrown at them.

“Parang motivation din ‘yun sa amin. Pero ayun nga, an opinion is an opinion. So, kami, we respect [it]. Pero I won't sit here at sabihin na it’s okay, kasi minsan talaga, nakaka-offend. Lalo na kapag personal ‘yung atake (It also serves as motivation for us. But then, an opinion is an opinion, and we respect that. Still, I won’t sit here and say it’s okay, because sometimes, it really is offensive, especially when the attacks get personal),” he added. 

Meanwhile, FEUCS team captain Mark Atizon delivered a heartfelt message to the green-and-gold community, urging them to remain steadfast in their support despite the backlash surrounding the squad’s routines.

“Thank you sa FEU community for supporting us. Sana po sa mga susunod na season, patuloy niyo pa rin po kaming suportahan. At sana huwag po kayo magsawa sa support niyo (I hope that in the next coming seasons, you’ll continue to support us. And we hope you never get tired of supporting us),” Atizon said.

Following their back-to-back bronze finish, San Gregorio and the Morayta-based team remain focused on extending their podium streak and, with FEU set to host the next season, continue to eye a better output for the squad.  

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)