SPORTS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Tanaka eyes US move under new rules

TOKYO: Star Japanese Masahiro Tanaka Matsuzaka and move from to him. Any American team that signed the player yesterday told his club he wants to try his hand in US clubs, American teams made blind offers for would pay his Japanese club the release fee. If he Major League , hours after a new “post- negotiation rights to a player. is not signed the release fee is not owed and the ing” system was announced that makes switching The highest bidder would win the rights to an NPB player remains under reserve to his Japanese to the United States easier. exclusive signing period. If the player signed a club. Tanaka went 24-0 in the regular season this (MLB) said on Monday that it had reached an deal to leave Japan, his former club would receive year, helping to propel the Rakuten Golden agreement with Nippon the posting fee as a purchase price for the player. Eagles to their first title. (NPB) on the new rules and the 25-year-old If there was no deal, the player would stay with The right-hander was expected to command a Tanaka is keen for a fresh challenge. his Japanese club and the posting fee would be high fee for negotiation rights and a huge salary, “I told (Yozo Tachibana, president of the negated. Under the new system, if an NPB club but he had been in limbo as US and Japanese Rakuten Golden Eagles), ‘let me try in the Major wishes to make a player available to US clubs, league officials discussed changing the system. League next season,’” Tanak told reporters at the Japanese officials will notify the MLB commission- Rakuten officials could decide that since they can- team’s ground in . “After this season, I want er’s office of his availability and a release fee that not receive more than $20 million for Tanaka, to go on to a fresh stage,” he said. At a separate would be demanded. Such a fee cannot exceed they will keep him for another season. They could news conference, Tachibana said he would reply $20 million. have expected more under the old system. In to Tanaka’s request after holding talks with club The commissioner’s office would notify MLB 2012, the posted a winning bid of management, saying: “We will take his decision clubs of the player’s availability and a day after $51.7 million just for the right to negotiate with seriously.” Under the previous system, which saw the player is posted any Major League club will- Darvish, eventually signing him to a six-year deal Japanese stars such as , Daisuke ing to pay the release fee could negotiate with worth $56 million. — AFP Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka Pistons hand Pacers their first loss

INDIANAPOLIS: Josh Smith had 30 points, Greg Monroe fin- ished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons handed Indiana its first home loss Monday night, stunning the Pacers 101-96. The Pistons won for the second time in six games, ending a six-game skid in the series and a nine-game losing streak on the Pacers home court. Lance Stephenson had a season high 23 points, while Luis Scola scored 13 of his sea- son-best 18 in the fourth quarter for Indiana (20-4), which was 11-0 at home coming into the game. Oklahoma City remains the only NBA team unbeaten at home with a 12-0 record. Detroit held a 55-40 rebounding edge and outscored the Pacers in the paint. Indiana tied the score four times and got as close as 96-94 late in the fourth.

CLIPPERS 115, SPURS 92 Blake Griffin scored 27 points, hitting 11 of 15 free throws, and Los Angeles cruised past San Antonio 48 hours after com- pleting a seven-game road trip. Chris Paul added 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Jamal Crawford had 17 points in his second straight start for the Clippers, who repelled several threats in the third quarter to maintain their lead. Tim Duncan had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, whose four-game winning streak ended. Tony Parker limped off the court with a right shin contusion with 5:09 left in the third. He finished with eight points and six assists in 26 minutes. DeAndre Jordan added 11 rebounds and Griffin had nine to help the Clippers control the boards, 43-36.

NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar female boxer Nwe Ni Oo stretches at the Wunna NETS 130, 76ERS 94 Theikdi boxing training centre during the 2013 SEA Games in Naypyidaw. Joe Johnson made 10 3-pointers, most in the NBA this sea- (Inset) Nwe Ni Oo poses for a picture at the Wunna Theikdi boxing train- son, and scored a season-high 37 points to lead Brooklyn over ing centre. — AFP Philadelphia. Johnson finished 10 for 14 from behind the arc, including 8 of 10 during an incredible third-quarter shooting performance. He passed the nine 3-pointers made this season ATLANTA: Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) and Myanmar women boxers by Jeremy Lin, who also did it against the 76ers’ inept perimeter Atlanta Hawks guard Shelvin Mack (8) scramble for the defense, and Stephen Curry. Johnson scored 29 points in the loose ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game on third, his most in any quarter in his career. Deron Williams had Monday, Dec 16, 2013. The Hawks won 114-100. — AP 13 points and 13 assists for the Nets, who led by as many as 42 land blows for equality and won for the fourth time in five games while playing with- out center Brook Lopez. James Anderson scored 17 points for NBA results/standings the 76ers, who lost their seventh straight overall and have NAYPYIDAW: Tough, stocky and packing a withering gender equality a practical reality”-including boosting dropped 11 in a row on the road since winning at Washington Detroit 101, Indiana 96; Atlanta 114, LA Lakers 100; left hook, Myanmar’s gold medal-winning boxer Nwe Ni women’s representation in public life and addressing in their road opener. Boston 101, Minnesota 97; Brooklyn 130, Philadelphia Oo cuts a surprising image in a conservative nation some restrictive cultural norms. 94; Miami 117, Utah 94; Washington 102, NY Knicks 101; where women are expected to be demure rather than Speaking at a women’s forum in Yangon in HAWKS 114, LAKERS 100 Orlando 83, Chicago 82; LA Clippers 115, San Antonio 92. combative. But the 19-year-old won hearts with a teary- December, Suu Kyi said the burden of keeping families Kyle Korver sank three 3-pointers in Atlanta’s dominant third eyed podium celebration at the Southeast Asian Games together during the repressive junta era had often fall- quarter, Al Horford scored 19 points to lead the Hawks past Eastern Conference cold-shooting Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles. Paul Millsap had in the capital Naypyidaw, after a bruising points victory en on women. But as the country opens, women are Atlantic Division over her Philippine rival in the 57 kilogram class. determined to help shape the future, she said. “We want 18 points and Jeff Teague had 17 with 10 assists for the Hawks. Horford grabbed 11 rebounds. Bryant made only 4 of 14 shots W L PCT GB “It’s very exciting because I have never fought for- to make our rightful contribution to our society... we Boston 12 14 .462 - eigners before... I’m happy to fight in front of Myanmar want to take a meaningful role,” she added. for eight points. Nick Young led the Lakers with 23 points while making five 3-pointers. Jordan Hill had 21, Xavier Henry had 18 Toronto 9 13 .409 1 fans too,” she said after Saturday’s win. Nwe Ni Oo is For the home athletes, the SEA Games is a chance for and Pau Gasol had 16, but no other Los Angeles player scored Brooklyn 9 15 .375 2 also blazing a trail for women, who have boxed for both personal glory and to play a part in that opening- in double figures. NY Knicks 7 17 .292 4 Myanmar at the regional showpiece event since 2001 which has been formalized in political and economic Philadelphia 7 19 .269 5 but failed to win gold, cramped by poor funding during change, but also wider social liberalization. As the com- WIZARDS 102, KNICKS 101 Central Division the corrupt junta era and a lack of wider support. petition, which runs until December 22, breaks new Bradley Beal’s driving layup with 6 seconds remaining car- Indiana 20 4 .833 - Emerging from the shadow of decades of military ground for women boxers, supporters hope their suc- ried Washington past New York. The Knicks didn’t use one of Detroit 12 14 .462 9 rule, the country is proud of its reputation for relative cess will open the pipeline of talent across the nation. their three remaining timeouts after Beal’s basket. Carmelo Chicago 9 14 .391 10.5 gender equality in a region where violence against “Myanmar women are traditional... most women can’t Anthony took the inbounds pass, dribbled the up court and Cleveland 9 14 .391 10.5 women is widespread. The nation’s most famous box,” said Aung San Oo, a former boxer who has spent attempted a 3-pointer that bounced off the rim as time expired. daughter is Nobel Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and months training Nwe Ni Oo ahead of the event. “I feel Beal led the Wizards with 21 points, including their final seven Milwaukee 5 19 .208 15 women are given equal rights under the law, enjoying a very honored to help now that women can box and as Washington erased a six-point fourth-quarter deficit. Martell Southeast Division higher social status than their counterparts in India and compete in other sports,” he said. — AFP Webster added 30 points and John Wall 20 points for the Miami 18 6 .750 - China. Wizards. Anthony finished with 32 for the Knicks. Atlanta 13 12 .520 5.5 Yet they continue to face significant challenges in Washington 10 13 .435 7.5 the impoverished country. The International Monetary HEAT 117, JAZZ 94 Charlotte 10 14 .417 8 Fund says two-thirds of Myanmar’s women are stuck in LeBron James finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and Orlando 8 17 .320 10.5 unskilled labor with low wages, while only 18 percent of Myanmar’s fans nine assists despite sitting some of the second half after twist- adult women have attended secondary school or high- ing his left ankle, Dwyane Wade added 27 points and Miami Western Conference er, impeding their economic prospects. It is also a rolled past Utah. It was Miami’s 17th straight victory over a Northwest Division riot after the SEA Western Conference opponent, the second-longest regular-sea- deeply traditional culture requiring women to dress Portland 21 4 .840 - son streak by an Eastern Conference team in NBA history. modestly more so in the countryside-and follow well- Oklahoma City 19 4 .826 1 Games knockout Boston won 20 straight over the West during a nine-month trodden cultural pathways in the devoutly Buddhist span of 1973. Chris Bosh scored 20 points for the Heat, who Denver 14 9 .609 6 society. So much so that organizers of the games even moved within two games of Indiana for the East lead. Miami Minnesota 12 13 .480 9 cut gymnastics and beach volleyball from the line-up of YANGON: Myanmar soccer fans started fires, tore play host to the Pacers today. Alec Burks scored 31 points for Utah 6 21 .222 16 events, reportedly convinced the outfits worn by ath- out seats and hurled rocks after their team was Utah, which got 17 from Derrick Favors. Pacific Division letes would be too scandalous. eliminated from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, LA Clippers 17 9 .654 - But in the sports they have competed in, women the latest stadium violence in a country once CELTICS 101, TIMBERWOLVES 97 Phoenix 14 9 .609 1.5 athletes have flourished, winning plaudits and prestige banned from 2018 World Cup qualifying because Jared Sullinger had 24 points and 11 rebounds, including a Golden State 13 12 .520 3.5 in everything from local cane-ball game chinlone to of unruly fans. Myanmar’s 1-0 defeat to Indonesia tie-breaking 3-pointer with 2:22 left that helped Boston Celtics LA Lakers 11 13 .458 5 late on Monday angered spectators, who threw football. The women’s boxing team has earned special hold off Minnesota. Sullinger had 15 points and six rebounds in Sacramento 7 15 .318 8 stones as disappointed players left the in praise after claiming a gold, a silver and two bronzes- the fourth quarter, and Avery Bradley had 19 points for the Southwest Division helping their country to the upper echelons of the tears. Some spectators invaded the pitch as others game. The Celtics won for the fifth time in seven games to hold San Antonio 19 5 .792 - medals table in the regional showpiece competition, tore down banners and destroyed plastic seats in onto first place in the Atlantic Division despite a 12-14 record Houston 16 9 .640 3.5 which is seen as a “coming out” party for the former the stadium in Yangon, video footage showed. that would be 12th-best in the Western Conference. Kevin Love Dallas 14 10 .583 5 pariah nation. Fans outside set ablaze billboards and SEA had 27 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota, which has not As humble outside the ring as she is pugnacious Games flags, hats and even their own T-shirts. won in Boston since 2005. But he was 2 for 11 from 3-point New Orleans 11 11 .500 7 within it, Nwe Ni Oo-the eldest of six siblings - said she Rioters threw stones at police, who huddled range as the Timberwolves, who a season-high 12 3-pointers Memphis 10 13 .435 8.5 is fighting for a better future for her family, who come behind shields and responded with water cannon. at Memphis on Sunday, went 8 of 29 from beyond the arc. — AP from the hard-scrabble southern delta region. “My fam- Myanmar has a passionate soccer following but ily support me... my father in particular wants me to be has gained an unsavoury reputation for crowd vio- a great boxer,” the diminutive teenager said, a beige lence. FIFA imposed a ban on Myanmar taking Nerves fraying as teams enter smear of traditional thanaka make-up barely concealing part in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup after a bruised cheek. Her victory is all the more remarkable fans hurled rocks and glass bottles at the referee home stretch of playoff races given that she only put on gloves three years ago and and the Oman team during a qualifier for the 2014 Asian Cup, held in July 2011. came in two kilos underweight for her category at the NEW YORK: With two weeks left in the National Football 0 losers to the NFL-best Seattle Seahawks, is hardly a surprise The world governing body later lifted the ban SEA Games. League’s (NFL) competitive regular season, many teams are as the days dwindle down. But the Dallas Cowboys need to To observers, women’s sporting victories are bring- on appeal but ordered the country to play all their starting to show frayed nerves - particularly in the NFC East. A regroup in a hurry after their stunning 37-36 home loss to the ing more than just medals. “Sport can improve the role qualifying home games on neutral territory. The pair of two-time Super Bowl-winning coaches let off steam Green Bay Packers because their playoff future still rests in of women in this country,” said May Sabe Phyu, a gen- SEA Games is the first significant multi-sport event following conference defeats on Sunday. Beleaguered their own hands despite dropping to 7-7. “This is one of the der equality activist. “When women claim medals, it Myanmar has staged in 44 years. Monday’s rioting Washington Redskins Mike Shanahan walked out of his hardest losses that I’ve experienced,” said Cowboys owner shows we are as capable as men,” she said, adding she will cast a cloud over Myanmar’s hosting of a tour- news conference and New York Giants helmsman Tom Jerry Jones, whose team led 26-3 at halftime. “That’s a shame also wanted to see a greater gender balance in the nament it hoped would showcase the enormous Coughlin called his offense “pathetic” and questioned the that we’ve lost that ballgame.” Cowboys wide receiver Dez heart of government. Her comments were echoed in a changes it has undergone since the end of five effort of some of his players. Bryant, who had 11 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown, recent briefing note by the UN’s development agency decades of brutal military rule in 2011. — Reuters Frustration on losing teams like the Redskins (3-11), who agreed but brought some shame on himself by walking off which said there remains “much to be done to make fell 27-26 to the Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants (5-9), 23- the field with 1:21 left in the game.—Reuters