NOTHING beats the “Go, USTe!” chant in igniting the school spirit and empowering Thomasian athletes in the playing field.
UST Yellow Jackets founder Michael Ismael Flores created the iconic chant in 1990 after hearing Vanilla Ice’s “Go Ninja” song on radio.
“Dati kasi, mga professors and close friends ko lang ang nakaka-appreciate ng chant ko, pero now, I’m so happy and amazed kasi buong Thomasian community na,” he told the Varsitarian in an online interview.
Flores added that the chant is not only an expression of support for the University, but is also a battle cry that fires up Thomasian athletes during competitions.
For the first time since Season 73, the Golden Tigresses are headed back to the finals after knocking out three-time defending champion De La Salle University, 25-19, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-10, in the semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena last May 5.
For team captain Sisi Rondina, the cheer sparks her urgency to play “harder and better.”
“Kapag nagcha-chant na, nakaka-goosebumps na and mas nakaka-inspire na maglaro. Mararamdaman mo na hindi ka dapat mag-fail at gagawin mo ang lahat para maging worth it ‘yong effort ng mga nag-che-cheer,” the four-time UAAP beach volleyball champion said.
She added she will do “whatever it takes” in the final stretch of her UAAP career.
“Nandito na sa amin ‘to, hindi na namin papabayaan. Gagawin ko lahat ng makakaya ko at magpapatulong ako sa mga bata ‘pag ako ang nawawala. Thankful kami, pero ipu-push at tatrabahuhin pa rin namin hanggang matapos ang season na ‘to,” Rondina said.
The Tigresses will battle the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles on May 11, Saturday, 4 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UST is the second winningest team in the UAAP with 16 championships, next to the Far Eastern University’s 29.
