Kindai University leaned on the brilliance of Ryutaro Aun, Haruka Misugi, and Yoshiki Yasuda to overcome Savouge Aesthetics, 25-16, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18, and secure a spot in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference championship match on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Japanese guest team bounced back strongly after suffering its first defeat of the tournament last Tuesday against Cignal, finishing the semifinals with an impressive 4-1 record.
Kindai U will face Criss Cross in the championship game on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the same venue.
The King Crunchers, who only dropped a single game in the tournament—falling to Kindai U, 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22 last Saturday—will be looking to avenge that loss in this tournament organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Black Mamba, and Arena Plus.
“We’re really happy to be in the championship game. Savouge was really strong, I felt like they really wanted to win this, so I reminded my players to keep their hearts stronger,” said KDU head coach Hideyuki Mitsuyama through an interpreter.
Late in the fourth set, with Kindai leading 19-17, Misugi and Aun combined for five unanswered points to reach match point.
Shawie Caritativo managed to respond with a through-the-block hit, but Yasuda sealed the win with a powerful spike from the pipe, making Kindai the first guest team in Spikers’ Turf history to reach the championship stage.
Aun led all scorers with 23 points, while Misugi contributed 22 points on 19 spikes, two blocks, and an ace. Yasuda had a complete performance with 18 points, 17 excellent receptions, and seven digs.
Savouge will aim to finish on the podium when it faces Cignal in the bronze medal match on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Mark Calado carried the Spin Doctors with 23 points, while Caritativo added 14 points, six blocks, 27-of-34 excellent receptions, and seven digs.
Reymark Betco contributed nine points, but high-scoring middle blocker Giles Torres was limited to just three points.
All games are aired live on One Sports and One Sports+, as well as through the Pilipinas Live app, which offers video-on-demand options. Matches are also streamed on spikersturf.ph.
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