UP sweeps first UAAP ballroom competition

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines reigned supreme once again in a dance sport when they swept the first-ever ballroom formation competition on Saturday, September 3, to kick off UAAP Season 79 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The UP Ballroom Formation Team was declared champion for both the Latin American category and the standard ballroom category with scores of 94.48 and 94.3, respectively.

Part of UP’s performance #UAAPSeason79 pic.twitter.com/PQv33vA9Nu

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) September 3, 2016

The Maroons, who have also dominated the annual Cheerdance Competition through the years, put on a creative, crisp, and crowd-pleasing performance. They danced to tunes such as Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name”, the “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and Journey’s “Open Arms” beneath a chandelier centerpiece.

Host school University of Santo Tomas, represented by the UST Sinag Ballroom Dance Company, came in as first runner-up in both categories with scores of 91.66 for the Latin American event and 92.1 in standard ballroom.

Here’s 16 seconds of UST’s routine #UAAPSeason79 pic.twitter.com/W7Rq5ob5eZ

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) September 3, 2016

University of the East wound up as second runner-up in the Latin American category with a final tally of 84.4, while De La Salle University made it to the podium of the standard ballroom event with 87.

Ballroom is introduced as a demonstration sport for the first time this season, which means it won’t have any bearing on the overall standings. – Rappler.com