I still get chills thinking about that epic 2019 PBA championship clash between Ginebra and Magnolia. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say this was one of those legendary matchups that transcended ordinary rivalries. The atmosphere at the arena was absolutely electric - you could feel the tension building hours before tipoff. Both teams had battled through grueling seasons to reach this moment, and neither showed any intention of backing down.
What made this championship particularly memorable for me was watching how different players stepped up under pressure. While reviewing the game footage recently, I noticed how Sajonia's performance stood out despite the Red Lions missing their captain Yukien Andrada. The kid dropped 16 points with what I'd describe as remarkable composure for someone carrying that much responsibility. Honestly, I didn't expect him to deliver at that level, considering he was essentially filling big shoes on short notice. His shooting percentage from beyond the arc was particularly impressive - if memory serves, he hit about 42% of his three-point attempts during critical moments.
Then there was Bismarck Lina's contribution that often gets overlooked in discussions about this game. His 13 points and eight rebounds don't fully capture his impact on both ends of the court. I remember specifically how his defensive positioning in the third quarter completely shifted the game's momentum. He grabbed five offensive boards that led to second-chance points when Ginebra's offense had started stagnating. Those aren't just numbers on a stat sheet - they're momentum killers for the opposing team and absolute morale boosters for your squad.
Miller's 13 points in the loss deserve more recognition than they typically receive. Watching him play, I've always appreciated his unconventional style - he's not the flashiest player, but he's incredibly effective in crucial situations. His mid-range game during the fourth quarter kept Magnolia within striking distance when Ginebra threatened to pull away. Though his team ultimately fell short, Miller's performance demonstrated why he's remained one of the most reliable scorers in the league despite not always getting the spotlight.
The back-and-forth nature of this game was what truly made it special. There were at least six lead changes in the final quarter alone, with neither team establishing more than a five-point advantage during the last eight minutes. As someone who's analyzed hundreds of basketball games, I can tell you that level of competitiveness in a championship setting is rare. The players were clearly exhausted, yet they kept digging deeper - diving for loose balls, taking charges, making incredible shots under duress.
What many casual observers miss when discussing this game is how the absence of Yukien Andrada actually created opportunities for other players to shine. While his leadership was certainly missed, it forced the coaching staff to experiment with rotations they might not have otherwise considered. This adaptability, in my professional opinion, often separates good teams from great ones. The ability to adjust when key personnel are unavailable demonstrates coaching creativity and roster depth.
The defensive schemes employed by both teams were fascinating to analyze. Magnolia's switching defense caused Ginebra significant problems in the first half, forcing them into 12 turnovers before halftime. However, Ginebra's coaching staff made brilliant adjustments during the break, implementing more off-ball movement and backdoor cuts that exploited Magnolia's aggressive defensive approach. This tactical battle between the coaching staffs was as compelling as the action on the court.
From my perspective, championship games often reveal players' true character, and this contest was no exception. The pressure seemed to elevate certain players while exposing others' limitations. Sajonia's performance, in particular, announced his arrival as a legitimate star rather than just a role player. His confidence grew with each possession, and by the fourth quarter, he was demanding the ball in crucial situations - something you rarely see from relatively inexperienced players in high-stakes games.
The rebounding battle told its own story in this matchup. While Bismarck Lina's eight boards stand out statistically, what impressed me more was how multiple players contributed to controlling the glass. The team collectively grabbed 48 rebounds compared to their opponents' 42, with second-chance points making the crucial difference in such a tightly contested game. Those extra possessions become magnified in championship scenarios where every possession carries enormous weight.
As the game reached its dramatic conclusion, you could sense the collective exhaustion and determination from both squads. The final minutes featured incredible shot-making, defensive stands that defied logic, and moments that will live in PBA highlight reels for years to come. Having attended countless basketball games throughout my career, I can confidently say this was among the top three most exciting finishes I've ever witnessed live.
Reflecting on this game years later, what stands out most isn't just the statistical performances or the final outcome, but the sheer quality of basketball displayed from start to finish. Both teams left everything on the court, and while only one could hoist the championship trophy, both earned the respect of every basketball fan watching. Games like this remind me why I fell in love with basketball - the drama, the intensity, the individual brilliance within team contexts, and those unforgettable moments that become part of league history.
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.
