Kindai University’s Aun Ryutaro delivers a powerful spike against Savouge Aesthetics skipper Sherwin Caritativo in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinal on Thursday (Nov. 27, 2025) night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. The visiting Japanese team won, 25-16, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18, to forge a title duel with Criss Cross. (Spikers’ Turf photo)
Kindai University marched into the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference final with a commanding 25-16, 26-28, 25-20, 25-18 win over Savouge Aesthetics on Thursday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Japanese squad leaned on the explosive trio of Ryutaro Aun, Haruka Misugi, and Yoshiki Yasuda to seal the one-hour and 35-minute victory, bouncing back impressively from their stinging four-set loss to Cignal last Tuesday. With a 4-1 semifinals record, Kindai now advances to a championship duel against Criss Cross on Saturday at 5 p.m.—a team they previously beat, 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, last November 22.
“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 head coach Hideyuki Mitsuyama through an interpreter.
Aun delivered 23 points to lead Kindai, while Misugi erupted for 22 markers from 19 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Yasuda rounded out the trio’s dominant outing with 18 points on top of 17 excellent receptions and seven digs.
For Savouge, Mark Calado matched Aun with 23 points, while Caritativo turned in an all-around effort of 14 points, six blocks, 27 receptions, and seven digs. Savouge looks to end its campaign with a podium finish when it battles Cignal for bronze at 3 p.m. on Saturday.