Francisco gives UST big lift in crucial win over NU

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Tin Francisco has never been the premier scoring option for University of Santo Tomas, but the Golden Tigresses were sure glad the sophomore hitter came up big in their final match of the elimination round.

Francisco finished with 11 points, behind EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina, who had 22 points apiece, to help UST take the match in five sets against National University, 20-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-12.

“Of course I was surprised with my role today because I never expected to play the full game,” said Francisco. “I expected that I would just come in whenever the starters are thrown off their game.”

“But I never expected that I will play the whole game against NU.”

Francisco came off the bench in the opening set and started the second until the fifth sets.

She also made her mark in the closing moments for the Golden Tigresses when she gave UST a 9-7 lead in the fifth set.

Francisco then got entrenched into the defensive schemes of NU that she was eventually used as bait in Rondina’s combination plays.

“Coach told us that we should always be aggressive because every point matters so I told myself that I should kill every set I get,” said Francisco.