UST, FEU jins debut in MVP-Meralco tiff

University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) powerhouses University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University make their debut in the men’s seniors division as the MVPSF-Meralco Philippine Taekwondo League resumes at the SM City Center Point in Sta. Mesa, Manila tomorrow,

Bracketed in Group C, the UST jins, UAAP runners-up last season, and their FEU counterparts, who placed third in the meet, take to the mat at 1 p.m., ushering in five matches of the event organized by the Philippine Takewondo Association and supported by the MVP Sports Foundation and Meralco.

UST returns to face College of St. Benilde at 3 p. m. while FEU takes a crack at CSB at 5: 30 p. m. winding up the day’s schedule of the tournament also backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.

In Group B matches in the women’s senior division, the Lady Blazers try to bounce back from their opening day loss at the SM Bicutan mall two weeks ago in their 2 p.m. battle with the Lady Tigresses, who then tackle the Lady Tamaraws at 4:30 p.m. following a 30-minute break.

Over the weekend at the SM Masinag Mall in Antipolo, National University nipped Ateneo, 13- 12, in Group C while San Beda College routed FEU, 49-18, in Group B in the women’s senior division.

The Red Cubs also asserted their mastery in the men’s junior division, sweeping their matches in Group A by beating Juan Sumulong Memorial College, 46-27, and Ateneo, 53-43.

A Taytay-based school noted for its strong taekwondo program, Juan Sumulong humbled Ateneo, 43-21, rounding out play in the event serving as a spawning ground for future taekwondo talents.

TPTA has employed the protective scoring system and electronic scoring system in the tournament where participants are equipped with headgear, body armor and foot socks embedded with electronic sensors commonly used in international competition.

Each team begins each match with five players in different weight divisions going up against each other in a game lasting two minutes each.

The scores of both squads in the first five contests are tallied and carried over into the “tag round,” an often critical and exciting phase lasting five minutes with unlimited substitutions, although a player is only allowed a maximum of one minute of action in the period. The overall score from both rounds decides the winner.