University of the Philippines cast a spellbinding performance that enchanted the eight-team field with a magical showcase unlike any other.
The UP Streetdance Club soared back to the top, clinching the UAAP Season 87 Streetdance Competition title, Tuesday afternoon, May 20, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Under the direction of head coach Ariel Alba, the Fighting Maroons wove their way back to championship glory with a total of 89.33 points, built on 44.80 points in the artistic category and 44.60 points for execution.
“Actually, matagal na namin tinatry ‘eh na mag-champion. Ang galing lang din talaga ng mga schools ngayon. Iba na yung laban talaga, so kailangan mag-prepare nang mas maaga para mas makapag-isip ng bagong piyesa at maging pulido ang lahat. Sana ito na yung start ng dynasty,” Alba said.
Their routine also stood out with a seamless four-layer costume transformation — from black-collared coats to a vibrant mix of purple, red, and gold — which helped them narrowly dethrone two-time defending champions University of Santo Tomas Prime by just 0.76 points.
The victory marked UP’s fourth streetdance title overall — and their first since their three-peat from 2013 to 2016 — tying them with De La Salle University Dance Company for the most championships in UAAP streetdance history.
“Sobrang lapit talaga ng scores. For us, yung mindset talaga namin, although syempre we really do want to win, ang gusto lang talaga namin sa performance namin ay yung full satisfaction na makukuha namin at yung happiness namin na kahit anong result makuha namin, masaya pa rin kami sa pinakita sa audience,” said UP team captain Giulia Añasco.
UST Prime, which captured the last two collegiate streetdance crowns, put on a spine-chilling zombie apocalypse routine that earned them 88.57 points — 43.84 in artistry and 44.20 in execution — to secure silver.
The DLSU Dance Company, showcasing a tribal-inspired concept, rounded out the collegiate podium with 86.17 points, made up of 42.20 in artistry and 43.04 in execution.
Just missing the podium was Far Eastern University Street Alliance with 85.83 points, followed by Company of Ateneo Dancers (83.83), National University Dance Company (81.87), Adamson University Dance Company (81.30), and UExtreme Squad (71.00).
Meanwhile, NU-Nazareth School Dance Company refused to settle for another bronze, ending the four-year reign of UST Galvanize to capture their first-ever UAAP high school streetdance crown.
After settling for third place in Season 86, NUNS finally rose to the top with a high-energy routine set to iconic hip-hop tracks from the early 2000s, bringing the streets to the stage in dramatic fashion.
This win added another feather to NU’s cap, joining the NU Pep Squad’s Cheerdance Competition victory last December, making it another dance championship for Season 87.
“Ako, sobrang saya namin. Very proud ako sa team namin kasi alam ko yung hirap ng team ‘eh, from 0 dancing [experience] talaga yung mga rookies namin. We only had two months to prepare them, pero sumayaw sila kanina na para silang mga professional artists. Talagang nalagpasan nila yung sarili nila,” said NUNS head coach Louie Guevara.
Ateneo, represented by Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan, made the most of its UAAP high school streetdance debut by earning silver with 80.97 points through a tribal-themed routine.
Adamson, which grooved to OPM hits like “Simpleng Tao” by Gloc-9 and “Romantiko” by James Reid, danced its way to the bronze medal with 78.57 points.
For the first time since the division’s inception in 2018, UST Galvanize failed to finish on top, settling for fourth place with 75.83 points, followed by De La Salle Zobel Dance Crew with 64.33 to round out the five high school teams.
Adding flair to the spectacle were intermission performances by the UST Sinag Ballroom Dance Company and the UP Ballroom Formation Team, which wowed the MOA Arena crowd while the judges, led by head judge Vimi Rivera, tallied the final results.
With fresh champions crowned in both divisions, UAAP Season 87’s Streetdance Competition proved to be a stunning celebration of creativity, rhythm, and school pride.
