PUP Taekwondo Team - Main Campus

Student-athletes have long been an integral part of the PUP community, bringing pride and honor through their victories. Alongside their medals, they elevate the University’s name: garnering recognition, shaping its legacy, and embodying excellence.

Beyond the cheers for our champions as they carry PUP’s star, illuminating maroon and gold, our student-athletes continue to balance the academic workload alongside countless trainings. Students by day until night and athletes in between, they win trophies and submit Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams assignments within the same breath.

But let’s be real: "diskarte" isn't a substitute for actual resources. It’s time we stop romanticizing the "tiis-ganda" culture. Honoring our University's pride requires more than a shoutout; it requires proper funding, basic needs, and conducive spaces. We need structural support that turns potential into a legacy so our athletes never have to choose between their health, studies, and their sport.

As we celebrate Student-Athletes' day, we remind every Iskolar-Atleta that your strength and quiet determination do not go unnoticed. You are more than your rank or your trophy. Take a breath, stay hydrated, and keep showing that heart: the PUP Community will always root for you. ❤️‍🔥

🖊️ Emma Bamba
🎨 Al-Ibrhazier Akdalin

Congratulations to PUP Taekwondo Team for showing heart and grit at the 2026 National CPJ Taekwondo Championships! 🥋

March 21–22 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium—poomsae and kyorugi, you all gave it your all. We are all proud of you!

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS! 🏆

The PUP Taekwondo Team secures the 2-PEAT Championship in Season 2 of the Universities and Colleges Premier League, dominating both Men’s and Women’s divisions as Overall Champions in Poomsae and Kyorugi.

Special congratulations to Ram Daleon for winning Best Player – Men’s Division and Rhianne Ivory Oliva for Best Player – Women’s Division.

Special thanks to our coaches Angelito Laga, Sidney Crispino, and Joey Paja for the guidance and support.

Thank you as well to our sponsors Gig Sportswear and Babymama for the continued support.

GAME DAY

The wait is finally over as the PUP Taekwondo Team steps in with one goal in mind—Atin ’to!

Lagi’t lagi para sa bayan.

1 DAY TO GO

Tomorrow, the journey meets the mat. The PUP Taekwondo Team enters the league with pride and determination.

Lagi’t lagi para sa bayan.

2 DAYS TO GO

Every training, every round, every sacrifice leads to this moment. The PUP Taekwondo Team is ready to rise at the Universities and Colleges Premier League.

Lagi’t lagi para sa bayan.

3 DAYS TO GO🥋

The PUP Taekwondo Team is ready to step on the mats for the Universities and Colleges Premier League.

Lagi’t lagi para sa bayan.

February 25, 2026 — Quarterly evaluation is done. 🥋

Kyorugi fought for lineup spots, and poomsae performed their forms for ranking. Congratulations to everyone for your hard work and dedication.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Gig Sportswear, for our new jersey and warmer. We appreciate your support!

Polytechnic University of the Philippines Taekwondo Team.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines scored over the weekend a rare double-title sweep, the first time it registered the feat in its University Games participation.

The PUP Radicals topped both divisions of taekwondo and athletics, where it took a combined tally of 14 gold, 12 silver and 7 silver medals.

The PUP lady jins are the defending champions. The men’s taekwondo team registered a 4-4-0 medal count while the distaff side posted 2-4-2 to keep the title.

The women’s athletics team registered a 9-7-2 medal yield to pace second placer University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (6-4-9) and University of Mindanao (4-3-2), third overall.

The PUP men (5-5-5) edged runners-up UNO-R (5-4-3) and University of the Philippines-Cebu (4-5-6).

The four victories made not only the sports program community happy but also the whole university, said Ron Hubbard, PUP director of the Sports Development Program Office, as he pointed out that the taekwondo team really prepared for the games after taking the women's title and finishing first runner-up last year.

Hubbard also said that the twin victories in athletics came as a surprise as PUP has just started this academic year the process of restrengthening its track and field team.

We are glad our rebuilding efforts in athletics paid off this early, Hubbard said, adding that part of the effort is the hiring of former national coaching staff personnel, led by Jojo Posadas, now the University’s athletics head coach

Kristine Guiriba, PUP sports documentation and coaching staff member, said the twin sweeps mark the success of our sports program and embodies the university’s enduring culture of excellence – one that thrives in academics, culture, and sports.

It reflects our shared vision of becoming a leading Polytechnic University in Asia and nurturing well rounded scholars and champions, she said, adding: “Guided by our motto, ‘Mula Sayo, Para sa Bayan,’ we honor the commitment, passion, and resilience of our athletes who bring pride and inspiration to our Sintang Paaralan.”

Central Philippine University (4-2-0) placed second overall in the taekwondo men's division with VMA Global College (1-1-0) and University of San Agustin, finishing third and fourth, respectively.

In the women’s group, USA (2-2-1), CPU (2-2-0) and University of Mindanao settled for the runner-up positions.

Mentoring the champion PUP teams are Mark Harry Diones, Raul Abangan and Anthony Asuncion (athletics) as well as Angelito Laga, Sidney Crispino and Joey Paja (taekwondo).

PUP is the fifth school to have swept at least two events in one year.

Unigames records show that the last time a double sweep was posted was in the 2018 staging when University of Santo Tomas took both titles in volleyball and beach volleyball.

A year earlier, UST, likewise, won both titles in volleyball and athletics.

The University of the Philippines and De La Salle University have the most number of title sweeps at three.

UP won in both divisions in swimming, lawn tennis and table tennis in 1997 while DLSU triumphed in swimming, volleyball and lawn tennis in 2003.

UP also posted sweeps in swimming and lawn tennis in 1999.

One other school – De La Salle College of St. Benilde has the distinction of winning titles in both men and women’s groups – in lawn tennis and taekwondo – in 2015.

With the strengthening if our program, we hope to have a stronger participation in the years ahead, Hubbard said.🏆

The 𝐏𝐔𝐏 𝐓𝐚𝐞𝐤𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 proudly celebrates our senior who has officially graduated! 🥋✨
Her dedication, leadership, and passion have left a lasting mark on the team. The lessons, victories, and memories we shared together will always inspire us to carry on the same spirit of excellence and discipline.

We wish you continued success in every step of your journey!
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, graduate! ⭐🔴

𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐀 𝐒𝐀’𝐘𝐎, 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍!