He played one game for the Batangas Blades in the Metropolitan Basketball Association before signing with the Barangay Ginebra Kings in March 2000.

He was recruited by Ginebra through coach Ron Jacobs to play back up for Bal David as preparation to supplant him in the starting lineup.

Injury sidelined him for five months at the start of 2005 but has mainly recovered and even won two MVP awards for the year, the Brunei Cup and the 2005 PBA All-Stars.

After he returned to Ginebra, he quickly made an impact and was named the Comeback Player of the Year by the PBA Press Corps.

In 2009, Helterband was awarded the Best Player of the Fiesta Conference for leading the Kings to the finals, and he eventually won the Season MVP.