NCAA: Right place, right time as Luib records career game

McJour Luib scores career high. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

He’s not the star the illustrious Letran Knights rely on every game, yet on Thursday McJour Luib found a chance to shine.

Luib, the defensive stopper and hustler of the Knights, had a career game of 16 points and four steals in helping the Knights to a 79-69 win over College of St. Benilde Thursday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament.

“I was just at the right place and the right time I think,” the 22-year-old Luib said.

His “right place” was streaking down the court on a fast break and his “right time” was at the 1:43 mark of the fourth as the Knights erected a 12-point lead, 79-67.

Knights head coach Aldin Ayo knows Luib is not only his glue guy but also his closer in tight games.

“McJour, even during the Filoil tournament, is a big factor for us,” Ayo said. “He won’t make mistakes especially during crunch times.”

While he knows he’s not the star of Letran, Luib is happy to leave the scoring to Mark Cruz, Kevin Racal, and Rey Nambatac.

“It’s so enjoyable to pass the ball to Mark and Rey, you’ll just set them up in the wings and you have Racal as your big, it’s fun basketball,” Luib said.

“I know my role, especially on defense and offense is just a bonus.”