They may have handed Criss Cross its only defeat in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, but Kindai University knows that history doesn’t win championships.
For the Japanese guest team, all that matters now is the gold medal match, and they’re ready to prove themselves on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Kindai punched its ticket to the Finals after overpowering the Savouge Spin Doctors in four sets, 25-16, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18, in a display of precision and discipline that has become their trademark. Criss Cross, meanwhile, booked its own Finals berth earlier, surviving a tight four-set battle against UST-Gameville, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 25-23.
The memory of the semifinals loss—25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22 to Criss Cross—hasn’t shaken Kindai.
“That win against Criss Cross in the semifinals does not mean a thing to us anymore. We know that it’s an entirely different match on Saturday, so we need to be prepared because Criss Cross is really strong,” said KDU head coach Hideyuki Mitsuyama through an interpreter.
“We just need to play Japan volleyball.”
Adjusting to the tropical Philippine climate remains a challenge for Mitsuyama’s squad, but he remains confident that his team’s heart and skill will carry the day. Ryutaro Aun, Haruka Misugi, and Yoshiki Yasuda have been the go-to hitters all tournament, and their firepower will be crucial in the one-off finale.
Kindai University’s journey is historic—they are the first guest team to reach the Finals in the men’s premier league. And Mitsuyama insists that while conditioning matters, passion and grit are equally vital.
“We need to work on our condition because my players are not really used to playing outside of Japan. But what’s more important is that we use our heart and show the Spikers’ Turf that we really want that championship.”
