Letran showed nerves of steel in the last two sets to outlast San Beda, 29-27, 20-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13, and book its first Final Four trip in the last 12 years in NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena on Saturday, May 4.

Gia Maquilang erupted for 24 points while skipper Lara Mae Silva took charge of the floor defense with 29 digs and 18 receptions as the Lady Knights claimed their sixth win in eight outings and advanced to the Final Four -- their first since making the finals in 2012.

They joined the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazkers (8-0) and the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates (6-2) into the next round.

Letran's win also It eliminated San Beda from the Final Four race, which fell to 3-5.

“Masaya, first time nakabalik dito,” said Silva on their Final Four feat.

Earlier, San Sebastian College showed character in the face of adversity as it turned back Jose Rizal University, 23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, to continue to salvage some measure of respect.

The Lady Stags fought back from an opening-set defeat and an 11-17 lead in the third set to snare their second straight victory after starting the season with six defeats in a row.

Power-hitting Kat Santos unloaded 22 points including 21 on kills while Tina Marasigan, Kristina Joy Dionisio and Juna May Gonzales scattered 18, 13 and 13 hits, respectively to help seal it for SSC-R.

“Gusto ko lang manalo para magkaroon ng confidence mga bata,” said SSC-R coach Roger Gorayeb. “Natuwa ako from 11-17 nahabol namin, kaya pala nila.”

“Ganyan nangyayari sa previous games, mananalo na kami, bigla magco-collapse,” he added.

Gorayeb was especially impressed with Gonzales, one of the eight newbies he had this season.

“San NCAA, eight lahat greenhorns ko. Si Gonzales napakalaki ng potential,” said Gorayeb.

The Lady Bombers stumbled to 1-7.