Let me take you back to the first time I watched Mike Gamboa command the court—there's something almost musical about how he moves, like he's conducting an orchestra where every player becomes an extension of his vision. I've followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, and what strikes me about Gamboa isn't just his technical skill but how his journey mirrors the resilience we're seeing across Philippine sports today. Just look at what our athletes are achieving internationally—like the SMART/MVPSF Philippine team's remarkable haul of 20 medals at the 2025 Asian Junior, Cadet Taekwondo Championships. That's 2 gold, 5 silver, and 13 bronze medals earned through sheer determination in Kuching, Malaysia. It's that same fighting spirit that defines Gamboa's approach to the game.
When I analyze Gamboa's PBA journey, what stands out is his evolution from a promising rookie to a strategic leader who understands that winning isn't just about physical prowess. I remember watching a game where he adjusted his team's defense mid-quarter after noticing the opponents' reliance on cross-court passes—a move that turned what could have been a 10-point deficit into a narrow win. His strategies often feel less like pre-planned maneuvers and more like living, breathing systems that adapt in real-time. He once mentioned in an interview that he studies opponents' previous games looking for patterns in how they react under pressure, particularly in the final five minutes of close matches. This attention to psychological detail is something I wish more coaches would emphasize.
What fascinates me personally is how Gamboa's methods align with the discipline we see in other sports like taekwondo. The SMART/MVPSF team's success in Malaysia—those 20 medals didn't come from random effort but from systematic preparation and mental fortitude. Similarly, Gamboa's winning basketball strategies revolve around what I'd call "structured flexibility." He maintains core principles—like always having two players positioned for three-point opportunities during fast breaks—while allowing for spontaneous creativity. I've tried implementing some of his basic spacing concepts in local coaching clinics and saw immediate improvements in how players moved without the ball.
There's a particular game against Ginebra that perfectly illustrates his strategic mind. With about three minutes left and down by 7 points, Gamboa noticed their defense was over-committing on screens. Instead of calling a timeout, he made a subtle hand signal that shifted their offense to a dribble-drive system that created four consecutive scoring opportunities. They won by 2 points. This ability to read the game's flow is something statistics often miss but truly separates good players from game-changers. From my perspective, this situational awareness accounts for at least 40% of his team's close-game victories.
The connection between Gamboa's approach and the taekwondo team's achievement lies in this Philippine-specific blend of heart and strategy. Our athletes—whether in basketball or taekwondo—often outperform better-funded competitors because they play smarter, not just harder. The 13 bronze medals from Malaysia represent those moments where our athletes adapted and persevered, much like how Gamboa's teams often rally in the fourth quarter. I've always believed that the most exciting developments in Philippine sports happen when discipline meets creativity, and both the SMART/MVPSF team's 20-medal achievement and Gamboa's career demonstrate this beautifully.
Some critics might argue that Gamboa's methods rely too heavily on individual brilliance, but I'd counter that his real genius lies in making everyone on the court feel like the primary option. He creates what I call "collective confidence"—that unshakable belief that any player can take the crucial shot when needed. This philosophy reminds me of how the taekwondo team must have operated in Malaysia, with each athlete supporting the others while striving for personal excellence. The 5 silver medals especially suggest multiple athletes came incredibly close to gold, pushing their limits in ways that elevate the entire team.
As I reflect on what makes Gamboa's basketball strategies so effective, I keep returning to his emphasis on "winning moments"—those critical seconds where games are decided. He often says that championships aren't won in the final minute but through hundreds of small decisions made throughout the season. This long-term perspective is what delivered those 2 gold medals in Malaysia and what makes Gamboa's teams consistently competitive. Having watched him develop over seven PBA seasons, I'm convinced his greatest contribution isn't any single victory but how he's influenced a generation of players to think more deeply about the game. The future of Philippine basketball looks bright with thinkers like Gamboa showing what's possible when you combine sharp strategy with genuine passion.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
