I still remember the first time I saw Jayjay Helterbrand play live at the Araneta Coliseum back in 2005. The electricity in the arena was palpable every time he touched the ball, and you could feel the entire crowd leaning forward in anticipation. Having followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous talented guards come and go, but there's something special about Helterbrand's legacy that continues to resonate with fans even today. His journey represents not just individual brilliance but the evolution of Filipino basketball itself.
What made Helterbrand truly exceptional was his ability to perform when it mattered most. I recall his 2006 Fiesta Conference performance where he averaged 18.3 points and 6.2 assists throughout the playoffs, numbers that don't fully capture his impact on crucial possessions. His partnership with Mark Caguioa formed what many consider the most explosive backcourt in PBA history. Watching them play was like witnessing a perfectly choreographed dance - Caguioa's relentless drives complemented by Helterbrand's impeccable decision-making and clutch shooting. Their chemistry wasn't something that could be taught; it was born from countless hours practicing together and an almost telepathic understanding of each other's movements.
The 2006-2007 seasons particularly stand out in my memory as Helterbrand's prime years. During the 2006 Philippine Cup finals, he delivered what I consider one of the most masterful performances in PBA history, putting up 32 points in Game 5 against the Purefoods Chunkee Giants. What made that performance remarkable wasn't just the scoring outburst but how he controlled the tempo, making the right reads repeatedly against a defense specifically designed to stop him. His MVP season in 2009 was equally impressive, though many forget he nearly averaged a triple-double throughout that conference with 16.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game. These numbers become even more significant when you consider he was playing through various injuries during that stretch.
Helterbrand's championship pedigree is what truly cements his legacy. I've always argued that his leadership during Ginebra's 2008 Fiesta Conference championship run doesn't get enough credit. While everyone remembers his scoring explosions, what impressed me most was how he elevated his playmaking, dishing out 12.4 assists per game in the finals series. His ability to read defenses and make adjustments on the fly was something I haven't seen replicated by many local guards since. The way he controlled Game 7 of that series, particularly in the fourth quarter where he scored 15 of his 28 points, demonstrated a level of mental toughness that separates good players from legends.
The current landscape of Philippine basketball makes me appreciate Helterbrand's era even more. Thinking about how the game has evolved, I can't help but draw parallels to the recent coaching transition mentioned in our reference material. When I read about Tenorio now facing his former mentor Cone from the other side of Manila Clasico, it reminds me of how Helterbrand himself evolved from being a student of the game to teaching younger generations. These transitions highlight the beautiful cyclical nature of basketball where today's students become tomorrow's teachers, yet the fundamental qualities of leadership and court vision that Helterbrand exemplified remain timeless.
What many younger fans might not realize is how Helterbrand revolutionized the point guard position in the PBA. Before his emergence, the prototype for successful local point guards favored steady, conservative play. Helterbrand brought an exciting, risk-taking style that somehow never compromised efficiency. His career 45.2% field goal percentage while attempting difficult shots consistently amazes me when I look back at the statistics. He proved that flash and substance could coexist, inspiring a generation of guards to play with more creativity and confidence.
Reflecting on his retirement in 2017, I believe the PBA hasn't quite seen another guard who combines Helterbrand's flair with his winning mentality. His final championship in the 2016 Governors' Cup served as a perfect bookend to an incredible career, proving he could contribute meaningfully even in his late 30s. The image of him celebrating that final title with his teammates remains vivid in my memory - a testament to a player who never lost his passion for the game. While statistics and championships tell part of the story, Helterbrand's true legacy lies in how he made fans feel - that thrilling uncertainty every time he crossed half-court, knowing something special could happen at any moment. That's the magic we're still searching for in today's PBA, and that's why we continue to celebrate his career years after his retirement.
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.
