Kindai University celebrates a point against Savouge Aesthetics in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference, November 27, 2025 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. PVL Media
MANILA -- Kindai University overcame Savouge Aesthetics in a four-set affair to claim the second and last ticket to the Finals of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference on Thursday night.
The trio of Ryutaro Aun, Haruka Misugi, and Yoshiki Yasuda sparked Kindai to a 25-16, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18 triumph at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
It was a strong response from the Japanese guest team, who had suffered their first loss of the tournament against defending champion Cignal HD last Tuesday.
The result sent Kindai U to the finals, where they will play Criss Cross in a one-game championship on Saturday, still at the San Juan venue.
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The King Crunchers will be looking to avenge their lone loss of the tournament -- a four-set defeat to the Japanese team last Saturday.
"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.