SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2014 SPORTS

New York Grillo leads Africa Open Fraser-Pryce to run in

NEW YORK: World silver medallist Matthew Centrowitz and teenage sensation Mary EAST : Argentine Emiliano Grillo fired a third-round 62 yesterday Commonwealth Games Cain will headline the featured Wanamaker Mile fields at the Millrose Games at The to take a two-shot lead after three rounds of the Africa Open. The 21-year- Armory late yesterday. Centrowitz will be joined by three-time Olympian Nick Willis of old Florida-based golfer leads from Englishman Oliver Fisher (66) with KINGSTON: Twice Olympic 100 metres champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will run in New Zealand in the men’s race, and triple US champion Morgan Uceny will challenge South African Thomas Aiken (66), Richard Bland (64) of England and Cain in the women’s race in what has become the trademark event in the 107-year-old this year’s Commonwealth Games, she said on Friday. American John Hahn (71) two shots further back. The Jamaican, who won gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at last New York indoor meeting. Cain, who recently broke her world jun- Grillo is the third leader of the European Tour-Sunshine Tour co-sanc- ior indoor record for 1,000 meters, was originally announced for year’s world championships in Moscow, is undecided on tioned event in as many days at the par-71 East London Golf Club after which events she will contest in Glasgow. “I’m not sure if the 800 meters, but decided to change events. “We felt Mary Ricardo Santos of Portugal and Hahn. it’s the 100m or the 200m, but I’m looking forward to needs the experience of in a competitive mile with a Santos slumped to a third-round 73 over the 6,064-metre (6,632-yard) doing that... I’ve never been to the Commonwealth,” big pack before the USA Indoor Championships,” said her layout and lies eight shots adrift of the leader. Defending champion Darren Fraser-Pryce told journalists during a teleconference on coach, Alberto Salazar. “The Wanamaker Mile will be the pre- Fichardt of South Africa also has considerable catching up to do with a sec- Friday. eminent indoor mile race in the world this year so it will be ond successive 67 leaving him seven strokes behind Grillo. great for Mary to continue to experience running in a large field The 1.75-metre South American, runner-up to Scot Stephen Gallacher in “And to just also see how well I’ll do as well because against very good runners.” the Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago, collected nine birdies and did not this Commonwealth Games, I guess, will be a lot different The Millrose Games is the second stop of the 2014 Indoor where a lot of the countries that will be participating are USATF Championship Series, which will conclude at the USA drop a shot. He picked up five on the front nine in the Indian Ocean town, including countries that have athletes that are doing very well, espe- Indoor Track & Field Championship and world trials cially in female sprinting,” the 27-year-old said. The 2013 on Feb. 22-23 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Willis three on the trot from the sixth, and four more coming back. Rookie Hahn came down to earth with a bang after his second-round IAAF female athlete of the year has also set her sights on also switched after initially planning to run in a lowering her 60 metres personal best of 7.04 seconds at special 2,000 meters race to honour ’s 61, claiming two first-nine birdies only to bogey two holes after the turn. Major champions Louis Oosthuizen (twice), Charl Schwartzel and Retief the Birmingham Indoor meet late yesterday in her Paavo Nurmi, who won gold medals at three build-up to next month’s world indoor champi- Olympics and set a 2,000 meters world Goosen and fellow South Africans Fichardt and Shaun Norris are the previ- onships in Sopot, Poland.— record at The Armory in 1925.—Reuters ous African Open champions. — AFP Drummond scores 30 in NBA Rising Stars Challenge

NEW ORLEANS: had 30 points and 25 rebounds to lead Team Hill to a 142-136 victory over Team Webber on Friday in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge, part of the All-Star week- end festivities. A 41 percent free throw shooter during the regular season, the for- ward went 6 for 8 from the line, including a pair with 29 seconds left after chasing down ’s missed free throw to give his team a five- lead. ’s had 31 points, mostly coming during a 1-on-1 duel with New York’s Tim Hardaway Jr. in the second half. Beal finished with 21 for Team Hill, picked by former NBA star . Hardaway scored 36 points for fellow former : Bae Sang-moon, of South Korea, eyes his putt on the 12th green during the NBA star ’s squad. rook- second round of the Northern Trust Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. —AP ie Michael Carter-Williams had 17 points. The annual game that began as a matchup of top rookies and later turned into rookies against Bae in control at Riviera second-year players now mixes the rosters. That’s probably a good thing, since this year’s crop of PACIFIC PALISADES: South Korea’s Bae Sang- RIVIERA LESSONS first-year players is so underwhelming. moon learned the value of patience at Riviera Bae, whose joint eighth last year came Drummond and Waiters are second-year play- Country Club last year and used it to his advan- despite a 76 in the third round, said his first tour- ers, while Hardaway and Carter-Williams are rook- tage on Friday as he seized a one-shot lead at nament outing at Riviera had been a “really, real- ies. Portland’s , also a second-year the Northern Trust Open. On another picture- ly good experience”. Asked what he had learned player, had 13 points, five rebounds and five perfect day of unbroken sunshine with barely a most from his debut last year, Bae replied: assists in the victory, making him 1 for 1 during breath of wind in the Santa Monica Canyon, “Patience, that’s it. Patience is one of the the busiest All-Star weekend ever. Bae fired a flawless five-under-par 66 to take strongest points of my game.” Lillard, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, control in the second round of the PGA Tour The long-hitting Johnson, whose one-stroke will take part in five events - three more on All- event. The 27-year-old from Daegu, who tied overnight lead held up when the delayed first Star late yesterday and the All-Star game today. : Team Hill’s Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons (0) dunks the ball against Team for eighth on his debut at the tournament last round was completed earlier on Friday, was All-Stars such as , Webber’s of the during the Rising Star NBA All Star Challenge year, carefully plotted his way around a course delighted to remain in contention for a ninth vic- and watched the Rising Stars game, game. — AP that offers a variety of options for shot selec- tory on the PGA Tour. “Very comfortable with with Irving leaping to his feet at one point after tion to post a nine-under total of 133. how I’m playing,” said Johnson, who had opened watching Waiters, his Cavaliers teammate, try to Australian Aaron Baddeley, champion here with a 66 on Thursday. “I’m playing really well in 2011, birdied the last four holes for a 65 to right now. “Rolling the putter really well, too, so take over the game with about eight minutes to finish at eight-under, level with American I’ve got a lot of confidence with it. I’m three back play. Baseball in Brazil? US sports Robert Garrigus (67) who played in tricky after- going into the weekend, and if I keep playing Waiters had two baskets and then two 3- noon conditions as the firming greens became like I am, I’m going to give it a good shot.” pointers, one of them when he stepped back bumpy. Charlie Beljan, beaten by fellow Red-hot American Jimmy Walker, who has after faking a move to the basket that made rise in the land of soccer American John Merrick in a playoff for last already won three times on the 2013-14 PGA Hardaway lose his balance. Hardaway answered year’s title, was alone at seven-under after a 68 Tour, ended the day five strokes off the pace back with two 3-pointers of his own as the crowd SAO PAULO: Brazil is and always will be a soccer find it played here. Brazilians say they are espe- with first-round leader Dustin Johnson (70) after following his opening 67 with a 71. roared. country, especially during a year in which it cially drawn to the big-time feel of US sports, among a group of four players a further stroke “Didn’t hit it great today but just kind of kept Waiters then clinched the duel when he hosts the World Cup. Nevertheless, the major US which are usually played to full stadiums with back. it right there and I had a good chance to shoot a knocked the ball free for a rare defensive high- sports leagues for football, baseball and basket- TV-friendly attractions, such as fireworks and Play was suspended for the day due to dark- good score,” Walker said after offsetting four light in the game, nailing his second straight 3- ball are seeing unprecedented growth here as cheerleaders. By contrast, Brazil’s domestic soc- ness with six players yet to complete the sec- birdies with four bogeys. “It didn’t really materi- pointer to give his team the lead for good at 126- Brazilians become wealthier, more worldly and cer league suffers from poor attendance as vio- ond round. Among those, the closest to the alise there at the end. But definitely happy to be 124 with 2:44 left. even frustrated with the shortcomings of their lence in the stands and dilapidated stadiums lead was American Harold Varner III, at one- in a decent spot going into the weekend.” US Drummond followed with a dunk for a four- own national pastime. chase many fans away. Pacaembu Stadium in under after 16 holes. Bae, who clinched his Open champion Justin Rose, playing his first point advantage, and Team Webber could never The newfound success of the US’ National Sao Paulo, where two of the city’s teams play maiden PGA Tour victory at last year’s Byron event of the year after recovering from tendinitis catch up. Only two of the top 10 picks in the 2013 Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball most of their games, does not even have a fully Nelson Championship, liked the look of Riviera in his right shoulder, was at even par after card- NBA were invited to this game - No. 2 Victor (MLB) and the National Basketball Association functional video screen. the very first time he saw the classic layout and ing a 72, level with fellow Englishman Ian Poulter Oladipo and No. 9 . (NBA) here has been a surprise even to their “You watch American football and, man, it’s a has clearly enjoyed himself so far this week. (70). The cut was set to fall at one-over-par 143 Meanwhile, David Stern is going from the NBA own executives, although Rio de Janeiro’s show. You don’t watch only for the game. That is beaches have not been taken over by touch what is missing in Brazilian soccer,” said Mauricio “I had really, really solid two rounds,” the with American world number nine Matt Kuchar commissioner’s office to the Hall of Fame. The football just yet. Araujo, president of the Ipanema Crabs, an ama- Korean told reporters after covering the back and former Riviera winners Charles Howell III, recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Baseball and football remain niche sports in teur beach football team in Rio. nine in three-under 33. “I love this course. Bit Mike Weir and Fred Couples among those cer- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Brazil, with even basic rules a mystery to most Only about 50 people attended last Saturday hilly and greens (are) small, so (you) need really tain to miss out. Kuchar carded a 75 on Friday to will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. 8 observers here. Basketball has a longer tradition as the Crabs played their first game of 2014 good driver and irons into the holes. “Not really end a run of 30 consecutive cuts made on the in Springfield, Mass. here, but is still likely not even the second-most against the Copacabana Pirates. But in a sepa- easy, this course is very tricky. I always aim to PGA Tour since he failed to qualify for the week- Stern was on a ski trip to Colorado on Friday popular sport in the country. That is thought to rate semi-professional league, where teams use focus on my game and just (stay) patient.” end at the 2012 PGA Championship. — Reuters with his wife while the NBA was holding its first be either volleyball or mixed-martial arts. helmets and pads and play on grass fields, has All-Star weekend without him in charge since Yet each of the US major sports leagues can teams all over Brazil and attracts crowds of 5,000 1983. New Commissioner Adam Silver and many point to important milestones in Brazil during people or more. other league employees who worked under Stern the past two years. The NBA became the first US When it comes to basketball, the NBA wants attended the press conference. league to open a permanent office in Brazil, in to make sure it replicates the spectacle and “I wanted to be here for David because I knew 2012. The NFL saw its average TV audience in showmanship enjoyed by US audiences. For a he wasn’t in New Orleans this weekend. Just to be Brazil double in 2013. MLB welcomed the big- pre-season game it staged between the here to share the experience and then relay it league debut of its first Brazilian-born player in Bulls and the in back to him what the feel in the room was,” said 2012 and at least two others are expected to Rio last October, the league made sure “every Silver, who worked under Stern since 1992. make professional rosters this year. aspect of the game was the same.” “As I said earlier, while David is a modest guy, I “There has been an awakening of the That meant, for example, bringing in the know he was moved by the fact this was all hap- Brazilian market and a lot of people are benefit- same light show, dancer and team mascots that pening so quickly, and he has always told me he ing from it,” said Chris Parsons, the NFL’s senior would be seen in, say, Chicago. doesn’t like to reflect back sort of on his life or his vice president for international affairs. The game - the first ever staged in South career, but this will certainly force him to. And I He linked the rising interest to Brazil’s eco- America - played to a stadium at nearly 98 per- know this is an emotional moment for him and nomic boom in the last decade, which lifted cent of capacity. That was the highest percent- it’s an emotional moment for everybody who has some 35 million Brazilians out of poverty and age of seats sold for a pre-season game any- worked with him over these years.” into the middle class. where last year, according to the NBA. Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Mitch That fueled an explosion in air travel, espe- Richmond, Kevin Johnson and Spencer Haywood cially to the United States. The number of visas A LEG UP FROM JAPAN are hoping to be part of the class. They were cho- issued by US consulates in Brazil more than dou- Baseball, for its part, has been able to lever- sen as finalists, with the full class to be unveiled bled between 2008 and 2012, to one million. age a chapter of its history that is little-known April 7 during the NCAA Final Four. As a result, Parsons said US sports have outside Brazil. Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, PACIFIC PALISADES: KJ Choi watches his tee shot on the 16th hole in the second round of Hardaway and Richmond were teammates in become an “aspirational” status symbol - an experienced a huge influx of Japanese immigra- the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club. — AFP Golden State and made up the Warriors’ “Run expression of newfound affluence, especially tion during the early 20th century. They brought TMC” trio along with Chris Mullin, who was elect- among the youth who set the stylistic tone in baseball with them, although “Westerners” were Choi smashes course record ed to the Hall in 2011. cultural capitals like Sao Paulo and Rio de generally excluded from playing, said Raylla Stern retired on Feb. 1 after exactly 30 years as Janeiro. For example, Neymar, Brazil’s biggest Matusomori, a member of the Anhanguera MELBOURNE: South Korea’s Chella Choi shots adrift in fourth. The day’s events left the commissioner, during which he brought the soccer star and a marketing icon for the rising Nikkey Club, which organizes games. smashed the course record with 10-under-par tournament tantalisingly poised heading into league to its greatest success. Jerry Colangelo, middle class, wore a Michael Jordan baseball “For 60 years it was very restricted,” she said. 62 yesterday as she seized the Women’s the final round with so much at stake for all chairman of the Hall of Fame board, said the Hall cap and a basketball jersey for Anderson “So baseball stagnated.” Even that has been Varejao, a Brazilian-born player for the NBA’s changing though. Andre Rienzo, who grew up Australian Open joint lead alongside exciting four leading players. hopes to have a special spot to display a tribute , in one of his first public in a small city outside Sao Paulo, was introduced 17-year-old amateur Minjee Lee. Choi, the world number 28, is seeking her to Stern. “He deserves to be recognized in a huge appearances after signing with FC Barcelona last to the sport shortly after his parents divorced 20 Choi, who is yet to win on the US LPGA Tour, first win after turning professional in 2008, way,” Colangelo said. carved up the back nine with birdies on 12, 14, while Lee could announce herself to the world year. “American sports are cool right now,” said years ago. His mother, suddenly charged with Stern was elected by the contributors commit- Arnon de Mello, the NBA’s managing director for raising three unruly boys on her own, believed 15, 16 and 17, and an eagle on 18, to lower the by becoming the tournament’s first amateur tee. Also directly elected to the Hall of Fame were Victoria Golf Club women’s record of 64 set on winner. And South Korean-born Ko, already Brazil. “There has always been a synthesis of that the only way for Rienzo to gain discipline Lithuania star Sarunas Marciulionis by the inter- lifestyle, street culture, art and music in the NBA was through greater contact with the town’s Friday by Caroline Hedwall. Perth teenager Lee, fourth in the world after winning twice on tour national committee, former coach runner-up to Tiger Woods’ niece Cheyenne at as an amateur, is within reach of her first LPGA ... (and) that carries a real appeal these days in Japanese community - which meant playing Bob “Slick” Leonard by the ABA committee, for- Brazil.” baseball. last week’s Australian Ladies Masters, shot a 68 victory since turning professional late last year. mer player Nat “Sweetwater” to match Choi’s aggregate score of 13-under- Overnight leader Hedwall slipped to four Rienzo began pitching, and became a star. Clifton by the early African-American pioneers SHOWMANSHIP IS KEY He was discovered by a Cuban scout as a par 203. However, the joint leaders will be shots back and a share of fourth after returning committee, and former Temple star Guy Rodgers acutely aware of New Zealand sensation Lydia two-over 74, while defending champion Jessica Unlike other parts of Latin America, especial- teenager, and made his major-league debut for by the veterans committee. College coaches Ko, 16, who was lurking two shots back in third Korda, who won last month’s season-opener in ly in the Caribbean basin, Brazil never experi- the Chicago White Sox last year. Eddie Sutton, Nolan Richardson and Gary place after scoring 69 on day three. the Bahamas, was five adrift. Cheyenne Woods, enced a strong US military or commercial pres- “It’s a crazy story,” Rienzo said. “But there are Williams were also finalists, as were former Norwegian world number two Suzann 23, carded 71 for a share of 23rd and has little ence that brought American culture as well. others like me.” He said the sport is growing as women’s coach Harley Redin and the women’s Pettersen, who will reach the top ranking if she realistic chance of recording back-to-back wins So while baseball is ubiquitous in Venezuela more Brazilians are able to afford baseball wins or finishes second, providing she is not after last week’s victory on the Gold Coast, which team from Immaculata College, which won three and Cuba, for example, it is still very difficult to gloves and other equipment.—Reuters tied with more than one other player, was three was the biggest of her career so far.— AFP straight national championships. —AP