Smart t’kwondo resumes in 2 SMs

MANILA, Philippines - More people outside of Manila get to see exciting taekwondo matches tomorrow and Sunday with the resumption of the 2013 SMART Philippine Taekwondo League in two SM centers.

Seven different school teams provide the action in six matches in four divisions at SM Masinag tomorrow, while eight teams will clash  also in six matches in two divisions on Sunday.

It will be University of the Philippines against Far Eastern University and Ateneo de Manila University against University of Santo Tomas in senior men, De La Salle University against San Sebastian College Recoletos and San Beda against Lyceum in senior women, SSCR against SBC in junior men and FEU against SSCR in Cadet boys tomorrow.

On Sunday, University of the Philippines battles University of the East, SBC tackles DLSU and FEU clashes with SSCR in senior men and SBC goes up against FEU, College of St. Benilde battles UP and DLSU faces UST in senior women.

Matches will start at 1 p.m. in both venues of the tournament supported by MVP Sports Foundation, SMART Communications Inc., PLDT, TV5, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

The competitions give the participants the opportunity to show before big crowds their skills and techniques in sparring or kyorugi of the country’s leading martial art sport.

According to tournament commissioner Monsour del Rosario and tournament director Stephen Fernandez, the twin events will use taekwondo’s officiating system – PSS (Protective Scoring System) and ESS (Electronic Scoring System), electronic armors and socks together with IVR (Instant Video Replay) to eliminate human error and ensure accurate, fair scoring and spectator-friendly fights.

PTL will also have a special round called “Tag round” patterned after one of the tournaments organized under the World Taekwondo Federation.  The system allows a team with a maximum of 10 players to make an unlimited substitution in one 5-minute round with the team scoring the highest points winning the match.

Martial arts enthusiasts, especially children who are interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch.