MANILA, Philippines – San Beda College is assured of a Final 4 spot in the NCAA Season 93 women's volleyball tournament after battling past San Sebastian College on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.

Cesca Racraquin led the way for San Beda as they notched a 25-14, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18 triumph. It was their seventh win against one loss, and they joined defending champion Arellano University at the top of the league standings.

A win in their final elimination round assignment over Emilio Aguinaldo College will give San Beda a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4. The Lady Red Spikers also snapped San Sebastian's four-game winning streak, and put the Lady Stags' semifinals hopes in jeopardy.

"Kailangan namin makabawi, kasi 'yung pagkatalo namin sa Arellano, hindi naging maganda," said San Beda coach Nemesio Gavino, whose wards were swept by the Lady Chiefs last Friday in a battle of top teams. "Pampa-boost ng morale ito, at para makapasok kami sa Final 4."

• READ: Arellano books sixth straight Final 4 appearance

San Beda comfortably took the opening frame, but had to work harder in the second frame as the Lady Stags battled harder. Clutch hits by Nieza Viray allowed the Lady Red Spikers to hack out the win.

The Lady Stags answered back in the third frame, with skipper Joyce Sta. Rita anchoring a 6-0 blast to put her team up, 18-9. The middle blocker scored three of those points at the service line as she repeatedly targeted San Beda libero Justin Buno.

San Beda rallied in the closing stretches and even took the lead, 21-20, but errors by the Lady Red Spikers as well as a clutch running spike from Sta. Rita kept the Lady Stags in the game.

The match appeared headed for a decider as San Sebastian seized an 18-17 advantage in the fourth frame off a San Beda error, but it was the last time they got on the board. The Lady Red Spikers scored eight unanswered points to end the match, with the Lady Stags shooting themselves in the foot by committing four unforced errors.

Racraquin also shone for San Beda down the stretch, as she scored three attack points including the booming kill off Nikka Dalisay's poor reception to wrap up the win.

"'Yung mga bata, 'yung galawan ngayon, iba," said Gavino of his players. "Mas mabibilis. Kasi, noong laban namin sa Arellano, parang malamya at malambot gumalaw."

"Ngayon, nakita ko 'yung aggressiveness nila at willingness manalo," he added.

Racraquin finished with 20 points on 17 attacks and three kill blocks, while Nieza and Jiezela Viray combined for 32 points. The Lady Red Spikers got 37 free points off San Sebastian's errors.

Sta. Rita led the way for the Lady Stags with 16 points, while Dau Santos added 15. Libero Alyssa Eroa had 23 digs and 15 receptions. San Sebastian dropped to 5-3 heading into their finals rematch against the Lady Chiefs.

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