Photo by Angela Davocol/The LANCE.
After finishing seventh last season, the Letran Cheering Squad will be targeting a podium finish in the upcoming National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 94 Cheerdance competition which will be held on March.
Bannering a rookie laden team, coach Mark Sinen stated that despite the disadvantage, his dancers are very skilled and eager to improve their shortcomings for the annual event.
“’Yung preparation na ginagawa namin, since lahat ay bago ngayon kailangan pukpukin ‘yung mga bata para atleast ‘yung target namin this season, makuha namin which is yung mag podium nga ‘yung Letran,” Sinen explained.
Sinen also explained the huge difference on the routine that they are working on due to the hard work of the dancers.
“Ang layo nung ginagawa naming routine ngayon sa last year kasi talagang hardwork sa training, conditionings lalo sa mga stunts and tosses,” Sinen said.
“Kailangan namin mag level up so kailangan namin talaga tutukan ng maigi para atleast maka habol kung anong skills meron yung mga contender,” he added.
The team is currently composed of 25 players, 21 of which are rookies and only four veterans.
“21 yung bago pero skilled kasi halos lahat ‘yun recruits and try-outs namin na meron nang galing ng high school team na talagang magagaling,” he said.
“So ‘yung mga natira dito last year na lima lang ata na ‘di naman ganun ka skilled pero experience wise maaasahan mo sila,” he added.
Coach Mark stated the skill level of this year’s team is very different compared to the teams they have handled in the past years, he also stated that he expects a lot from the team and believes that it is a big possibility for the team to have a podium finish in the upcoming season.
Sinen puts his faith on his dancers, as he knows that they have what it takes to win this year.
“I expect a lot from them kasi I know na kaya nila e, alam ko na kakayanin namin manalo this season kahit na bago sila, maraming maitutulong yung mga narecruit namin this year,” he said.
“Malaki matutlong nila kasi kasi malayo yung skills nila from last year or sa mga nakaraan pang team na nahandle namin,” he added.
Sinen also gave the assurance that the team will do everything they can and that the Letran community will surely enjoy the routine that they are preparing. Still, the cheerdance mentor believes that their fate is at the hands of the athletes.
“Kakayanin naman pero nasa mga bata na din ‘yung magiging resulta nun, ‘yung part namin ginawa na namin so ang hihintayin na lang namin is kung pano mag pe-perform ‘yung mga bata, kung pano nila i-pupull off sa competition.”
(First published on The LANCE's Jan-Feb 2019 Issue)