I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Araneta Coliseum that hot August day in 2004. The air was thick with anticipation as teams prepared to select the future of Philippine basketball. Looking back now, it's fascinating to trace how those promising careers unfolded - some becoming legends, others taking unexpected turns that nobody could have predicted during that draft night.
James Yap went second overall to Purefoods, and what a career he built. I've followed his journey closely because he represents everything great about Philippine basketball - that smooth shooting stroke, the clutch performances, and that undeniable star power. He collected two MVP awards, numerous championships, and became a household name. Even now, when I see him play, there's that same magic that made him special from day one. His career spanned nearly two decades before he finally hung up his jersey in 2022, leaving behind a legacy that will be tough to match.
Then there's Rich Alvarez, the first overall pick who brought that unique blend of athleticism and intelligence to the game. I always admired how he understood spacing and defensive positioning - things casual fans might miss but coaches absolutely love. His career took him through several teams before he transitioned into coaching, and honestly, I think he's found his true calling there. Some players just have that natural ability to teach and inspire others, and Alvarez seems to be one of them.
What's particularly interesting to me is how some of these 2004 draftees have found new life in the emerging 3x3 basketball scene. I recently came across an interview where one of them expressed genuine excitement about this new challenge. "Alam namin na kaya namin na mag-compete and at the same time, excited kasi ako, personally, ang tagal ko na hindi nakapaglaro ng 3x3 so excited ako na makatulong sa team natin ngayon and ang main goal is to compete," he shared. That raw enthusiasm for a different format of the game shows how these veterans continue to evolve and adapt. It reminds me that true competitors never lose that fire, regardless of how many years have passed since their draft day.
The contrast between careers is striking when you really examine it. Some players like Yap remained superstars throughout, while others like Paolo Bugia carved out respectable careers as reliable role players. Then there were those who showed flashes of brilliance but never quite reached their full potential - and as a fan, those are the stories that sometimes keep me wondering "what if." What if injuries hadn't derailed their progress? What if they'd landed with different teams? The 2004 draft class had it all - the can't-miss prospects, the late-round steals, and everything in between.
I've always been particularly drawn to the stories of players who reinvented themselves later in their careers. Take someone like Noy Baclao - drafted high, struggled initially, but found ways to contribute meaningfully as a defensive specialist. It takes tremendous character to accept different roles and still perform at high level. These aren't just basketball stories to me; they're lessons in perseverance and adaptation that resonate beyond the court.
The transition many of these players made from traditional 5-on-5 to 3x3 basketball fascinates me. It's not just about adjusting to fewer players on the court - it's a completely different rhythm, different strategies, different demands on the body. That quote about being excited to help the team in 3x3 despite not having played it for so long captures something essential about these athletes. They're not just collecting paychecks; they genuinely love competing and contributing however they can.
As I reflect on that 2004 draft class now, what stands out most isn't just the statistics or championships, but the journeys. The unexpected turns, the comebacks, the late-career revivals. Some are still active in various capacities - coaching, mentoring, or playing in different leagues. Others have moved completely away from basketball. Each path tells its own story about the complex relationship between talent, opportunity, and perseverance in professional sports.
There's something deeply human about tracking where these athletes ended up. It's not just about basketball - it's about watching people navigate careers, make transitions, and find new purposes. That 2004 draft feels like yesterday to me, but it's been nearly twenty years. The excitement of that day has transformed into the rich tapestry of careers completed, legacies established, and new chapters still being written. And honestly, that's what makes Philippine basketball so compelling - the stories never really end, they just evolve.
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.
