Francis Paclibare completed his first season with the LMU women’s basketball team in 2025-26, serving as the program’s athletic trainer during one of the most historic campaigns in school history. He played an integral role in keeping the Lions healthy and prepared throughout the season, helping guide LMU to a postseason berth in the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament – just the fourth postseason appearance in program history and the first since 2018-19. The Lions captured the WCC Regular Season Championship outright, their first conference title since 2003-04, while posting a 15-3 conference record, the best mark in program history, and finishing with 21 overall wins to tie for the second-most in a single season. LMU’s run included a nine-game winning streak – the longest since the 2003-04 championship season – and a signature victory over Gonzaga Bulldogs women's basketball, snapping a 35-game losing streak and earning the program’s first win in the series since 2008. The Lions ultimately closed the season with a tightly contested 80-76 road loss at Stanford Cardinal women's basketball in the opening round of postseason play.
Paclibare’s impact was especially vital as LMU navigated early-season injuries, helping the team maintain a strong 6-5 nonconference record and build the foundation for a championship run. Working closely with the coaching staff and student-athletes, he provided essential care, recovery planning, and injury prevention support throughout the year, contributing to the team’s resilience and sustained success.
