Kindai University remained unbeaten in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference with a commanding 25-22, 25-17, 25-15 straight-sets victory over a struggling University of Santo Tomas-Gameville on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Building on their previous two wins — including handing Criss Cross its first defeat in the Sports Vision-organized tournament — the Japanese guest team improved their record to 3-0.
“Since this is a battle between two university teams, we want to give our all and show our pedigree against University of Santo Tomas,” said KDU head coach Hideyuki Mitsuyama through an interpreter.
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
After a tight first set that required late-game execution to secure a 1-0 lead, Kindai University came out stronger in the second. It cruised to a 25-17 win and moved within one set of a straight-sets victory in the league, which is supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Black Mamba, and Arena Plus.
The Japanese squad then intensified its dominance in the third set, surging to a 10-2 start behind 6-foot-7 opposite spiker Ryutaro Aun and reigning Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week Haruka Misugi.
Kindai University’s resilience will face another test tomorrow when it takes on defending champion Cignal at the Ynares Center Montalban.
“We’ve watched Cignal and we know they are strong, but we’re from Japan and we want to show Japanese pride and take the win tomorrow,” Mitsuyama added.
(C) Spikers’ Turf Images
Meanwhile, playing without main spikers Josh Ybañez, JJ Macam, and Al-Bukharie Sali due to Alas Pilipinas duties, the Golden Spikers dropped to 0-3 in the round-robin semifinals.
UST-Gameville will look for its first win tomorrow against ProVolley Academy of Australia, which is also still seeking its first victory after two games.
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.
