Top schools seek PTL division titles

After months of intense and exciting action, the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) will conclude its 2026 SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Philippine Taekwondo League (PTL) this weekend, with elite schools expectedly battling for bragging rights across various divisions.

Established in 2011, the PTL —through the able leadership of Grandmaster Hong — has continued to serve as a platform for student-athletes to develop their skills, showcase their talent, and demonstrate the values of discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship through competitive taekwondo.

The event, which started last 6 June, will stage its semis matches on 24 October at the Ayala Malls, Manila Bay, while the finals and the awarding ceremony will take place on 25 October at the PTA Taekwondo Gymnasium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The University of the Philippines, National University, Far Eastern University, San Beda University, La Salle and University of Santo Tomas are the leading title contenders in both the Kyorugi and Poomsae disciplines.

University of the Philippines and National University are sporting perfect 5-0 win-loss records in the men’s division of Kyorugi, followed by Far Eastern University (4-2), San Beda University (4-1), University of Santo Tomas (3-1), College of Saint Benilde (3-3), De La Salle University (2-2), Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-1), and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (1-5).

NU and La Salle lead the women’s side with similar 4-0 cards in the event also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and Milo.

UST is third with a 2-1 card, followed by San Beda (2-2), FEU (2-1), UP (2-1), Saint Benilde (1-2), EAC (1-2), PUP (0-4), and Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (0-4).

Meanwhile, the FEU jins are leading the way in the poomsae competition with a 4-0 record, followed by NU (4-1), UST (3-0), UP (2-2), DLSU (1-3), and Saint Benilde (1-3).