Alaska Aces assistant coach Jeffrey Cariaso and U.S. sports envoys Cherokee Parks and Alana Beard underscored the importance of defense during the basketball clinic for coaches and Physical Education (PE) teachers from all parts of Davao region held Friday, September 28, at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.

“At your level coaches, encourage defense. I love to play defense but as a coach how can you translate that to the players and get them to love defense is important," Cariaso, also of the Jr. NBA, said.

With players from Davao Jones Academy (DJA), Cariaso showed the coaches different defense techniques including how to defend a left-handed or right-handed player and the effective stance when defending different kinds of players.

Los Angeles (LA) Sparks' Beard, a four-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA all defensive player of the year, for her part, shared her experience with her Southwood High School coach.

"The moment I stepped into the gym, in the first hour of every single practice for four years, we won four state championships too, it was all defense," she said, adding, "It's important for coaches to be consistent from top to bottom."

She also said that winning championships and individual titles were not because of her own efforts.

"To be honest, we don't win as an individual, we win as a team. To be the player that I am, I need my teammates," Beard added. She was also seen giving tips to some players who were undergoing the defense drills.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer Matt Keener also graced the event, which drew some 110 participants.

Ramirez, for his part, thanked the U.S. Embassy for bringing the basketball activity in the Philippines, and also cited Parks and Beard for their vast and colorful experience with the NBA and WNBA, respectively, that could inspire the participants.

Keener, meanwhile, thanked the PSC for its "all-out" support.

It is interesting to note that even before the clinic started, most participants gathered around Parks, Beard, Cariaso and Willie Miller for photo opportunities.