Assistant coach McJour Luib suits up for Converge in PBA On Tour
Assistant coach McJour Luib suits up for Converge in a PBA on Tour game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Converge assistant coach McJour Luib is thrilled to play in the PBA seven years after he went undrafted.
The former Letran stalwart was activated as the FiberXers had a depleted roster with Jeron Teng, Aljun Melecio, and Adrian Wong nursing injuries.
Luib sank a three-pointer—his only shot attempt–dished out three assists, and grabbed one rebound in eight minutes of playing time for Converge, which fell to Blackwater, 102-97, on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Actually, it really wasn’t part of the plan. But our line up is depleted. So I was thinking this was a way for me to be conditioned, because I don’t want my stomach to get bigger while I’m coaching. So they called me and asked me if I’m ready. Physically, probably not, but mentally I can follow,” Luib told reporters.
It felt nostalgic for Luib who last played at the Ynares venue 10 years ago in the PBA D-League. This time, he reunited with teammate Kevin Racal and went head-to-head against former college rival and San Beda product Baser Amer, who had 12 points and five assists for Blackwater.
“I’m happy I was able to play. My former teammates like K-Racs, one of the best players in the Philippines and he’s in the PBA level now,” he said.
Assistant coach McJour Luib suits up for Converge in a PBA on Tour game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The 31-year-old coach was part of coach Aldin Ayo’s championship run with the Letran Knights in the 2015 NCAA season. He played his final season a year after and joined Ayo in transferring to La Salle as part of his coaching staff.
“Basketball has always been a part of my life. My mother named me McJour, which was supposed to be Michael Jordan, but she didn’t want to copy the name,” Luib said.
Ayo, who also activated assistant coach Danny Ildefonso in the previous PBA Governors’ Cup, lauded his deputy’s performance in his on-court comeback.
“He played well. Decent. I think he had three assists and hundred percent from the field,” said the Converge coach.
“There’s no problem with coach McJour. I always tell him na in terms of conditioning, he can achieve that. The issue is with his skills, because even when he was still in college, his shooting is just so-so. But I always tell him that skills can be acquired, and he’s been doing this for a long time. He knows the plays and the decision making is there.”
Converge coaches Aldin Ayo and Danny Ildefonso talking to their players. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Ayo preferred activating his deputy than acquiring PBA draft aspirants.
“Actually I think I owe it to him because after his last year in college I convinced him to quit playing and join my coaching staff. Although he joined the draft, he was undrafted,” Ayo said. “We don’t want to get anybody that we won’t be able to benefit from in the long run. Even if we get the undrafted players, there’s no guarantee they will play with us.”
The Converge coach said Luib will continue playing in the PBA On Tour, which could open a possibility for the guard to make it to the regular season roster of the FiberXers.
“Who knows? Baka umabot yan sa line up,” Ayo said.
Luib is not closing his doors on his PBA dream, vowing to be competitive this preseason.
“Let’s see if I can make it. My competitiveness is still there, so I will try,” Luib said.
WATCH: Converge assistant coach McJour Luib on playing for the FiberXers in #PBAonTour
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Wednesday, June 14, 2023
