Haruka Misugi and Kindai University are making a strong impression in the semifinals of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference.
Haruka Misugi has made a strong introduction to Filipino fans with a string of stellar performances for Japanese guest team Kindai University.
The young spiker wasted no time making his presence felt as Kindai opened the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinal round with back-to-back victories.
Misugi fired 16 points in Kindai’s emphatic sweep of the ProVolley Academy of Australia, 25-15, 25-12, 25-13, in the league’s historic first-ever game held at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
He followed it up with an all-around showing the next day, powering the Japanese side to a 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22 stunner over the previously unbeaten Criss Cross at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The 20-year-old opposite hitter stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, 17 receptions, and seven digs to end the King Crunchers’ eight-game winning streak and lift Kindai into a share of the lead with Savouge Aesthetics at 2-0.
“I appreciate being able to play volleyball in front of Filipino fans, and I feel it’s a big challenge going up against the Philippine teams,” said Misugi through a translator.
Misugi’s consistent brilliance earned him the penultimate Spikers’ Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of November 21 to 22.
He also became the first-ever player from a visiting squad to claim the weekly honor, which is awarded by print and online reporters covering the pioneering men’s volleyball league organized by Sports Vision.
Misugi edged out Mark Calado of Savouge, Jude Garcia of Criss Cross, and Cignal’s Jau Umandal for the recognition. The tournament is streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on spikersturf.ph.
Riding high on momentum, Kindai University now turns its attention to winless University of Santo Tomas–Gameville, which it faces on Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the same San Juan venue.
“From what I see, volleyball is more popular in Asia, especially the men’s volleyball in Japan,” said Kindai coach Hideyuki Mitsuyama. “We want to help spread better volleyball even more.”