MANILA - As the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe wowed with their crouching tiger-themed performance during the UAAP Season 80 cheerdance competition on Saturday, their newly-minted head coach also became the talk of town.

Many netizens remarked on the good looks of Salinggawi coach Mark Chaiwalla after his photos circulated on Twitter and his España-based squad placed first runner-up.

A registered nurse and former Salinggawi member, Chaiwalla said the online attention came as a surprise.

“In that aspect, thank you for the appreciation. Maraming salamat for appreciating that aspect of my existence,” he told his admirers in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

The 26-year-old coach said he is not in a relationship.

Chaiwalla said he wishes to be known as hardworking, dedicated to his goals and most importantly, someone who loves the University of Santo Tomas and its Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

He has resigned as a nurse at the UST Hospital to focus on coaching.

“During the start of my coaching, I was still a nurse in UST Hospital. Two and a half months kong pinagsabay ang coaching at nursing but it was really difficult. Nagsa-suffer ‘yung katawan ko. Nag-resign muna ako bilang nurse,” Chaiwalla explained.

He also shared that he was happy to guide Salinggawi in honing their forte.

“I know my kids’ strength. We just played our cards well. Binira namin ‘yung dance namin. We upgraded a lot of our cheer elements,” said Chaiwalla.

He also admitted that some of his dancers were his teammates back when he was still a Salinggawi member in 2013. But the UST coach said he strives to be professional with this squad.

“The kids in Salinggawi are obedient and respectful although, naabutan ko pa ‘yung iba dyan as a member,” Chaiwalla said.

"I’ve also developed yung sense of professionalism sa kanila na kapag training, training. Kapag sa labas, magkaibigan tayo pero pag-inside the mat, I treat them as athletes, they treat me as a coach."

Chaiwalla said his team could have bagged the ninth cheerdance title of the university if their performance had been flawless. He said he was content nonetheless with their achievement.

“Seeing the score sheet, there is a possibility, considering that 8 points (deduction) plus ‘yung points ng execution at impact nung routine, mukhang kakayanin sana. Pero I’m very happy [sa 1st runner-up],” he said.