The Orlando Sentinel from Orlando, Florida • Page 19

The Orlando Sentinel (li UCF rolls to victory in its tourney, C-7 WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990 'rTM i I and Trail Bag I SViagic By Barry Cooper ST OF THE SENTINEL STAFF The Trail Blazers (44-18), who have won six games in a row, including a 4-0 swing through the East, are peaking just as the playoffs are starting to approach. Players are fond of a term called "taking him to school," and that's what Portland did against the Magic. Orlando (16-47) jumped to a 7-1 lead on two jumpers by Terry Catledge, a basket by Sidney Green and a free throw by Nick Anderson. But Portland wasn't shaken. The Box score, notes: C-6 Reggie Theus led Orlando with 25 points, Terry Catledge had 19 and Scott Skiles had 17.

Portland was led by second-round draft pick Cliff Robinson, who came of the bench to score 22 points and tied his career high. Magic Coach Matt Guokas started Catledge, Green, Anderson, Theus and Jeff Turner. That was the second start in a row Larry Guest coach Bobby Weiss was absent, too. His wife, Tracy, is expected to give birth this week, and Weiss was at home in Orlando. The missing members of the Magic's traveling party didn't miss much.

Even at full strength, the Magic would have been hard-pressed to stay with the Blazers, who led, 73-52, at halftime. That is the most points the Magic have given up in a half. The Magic, who now have lost seven games in a row and 14 of their last 15, return home today from a three-game road trip to the West Next up is Boston on Friday night at Orlando Arena PORTLAND, Ore. There isn't any need to find fault with the Orlando Magic this time. Matched up on the road against a championship-caliber team, the Magic were understandably overwhelmed Tuesday night.

Portland 142, Orlando 117 that was the final score at Portland Coliseum in a game THE SPORTS COLUMN for that lineup. Blazers pulled off a 124 run to go ahead, 13- The Magic were without injured starters that saw the Trail Blazers play textbook-per 11, with 6:17 left in the first quarter. The 11. with 6:17 left in the first quarter. The Sam Vincent and Otis Smith.

Assistant fect basketball. Magic never led again. Phoenix: Player and friends set for Alaqua charity bash Little Bird Yet another marquee event is blossoming on Orlando's glittering golf stage. Gary Player and neighbors are about to announce a two-day charity event at his gorgeous new Alaqua Country Club in South Seminole for Oct. 8-9.

Co-sponsored by a local TV station, the event will carry a serious $300,000 purse for just 28 competing sen Super site in 1993 ior pros. Gary already has put the arm on Arnie Palmer and Lee Trevino, and the committee has been awaiting word from i the other new kid on the cadavers' tour, Tagliabue forms Jack Nicklaus, before formally tooting the trumpets on the inaugural Alaqua Invitational. Florida Hospital Foundation will be the charity, and network TV is in the realignment group By Jerry Greene OF THE SENTINEL STAFF I 9: LAKE BUENA VISTA The NFL's team owners sentimentally added Phoenix to their list of Super Bowl sites Tuesday and also took the first step toward realigning and expanding their league. Phoenix, was a somewhat surprising victor in its competition with Los AngelesBurbank and San Diego to play host to Super Bowl XXVII (1993). Although the decision was made by secret ballot, the general feeling was that the other owners were saying "thanks" to Phoenix Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill for years of loyal service to the league.

"It was a rare time when the owners voted with their hearts instead of their wallets," said one club representative who asked not to be named. "The LA offer had to be worth $5 million more than the one from Phoenix." It has been a rough week for Los Angeles during the owners meeting the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Before losing the Super Bowl bid, LA learned Monday that it wUli -1 mtf il 'NI OEOROE REMAINESENTINEL Rocky relationship Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka (left) and Detroit Lions Coach also dispelled rumors that he would leave coaching for broad-Wayne Fontes trade barbs Tuesday after a coaches' breakfast casting. Feuding coaches Sam Wyche of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL owners meeting at the Grand Cypress hotel. Ditka and Jerry Glanville of the Atlanta Falcons didn't pal around.

works. That'll put the world's best here four times this year for the Nestle Invitational at Bay Hill, the Olds-Disney Classic, the 1990 World Cup at Grand Cypress and this new Alaqua bash. Little Bird II: It says here new Gators prez John Lombardi told a black group on campus he'd like to see a black basketball coach. Seems that caused ADV Bill Arnsparger to shred his all-Caucasian checklist and start plowing new ground that includes Arkansas' Nolan Richardson and Okie State's Leonard Hamilton. A fellow SEC athletic director gave Arnsie the strongest of recommendations on Hamilton during the league ney here this week.

Lobby-listening at the NFL meetings: That little DisneyMGM shindig put on by Jacksonville to dazzle NFL owners Sunday night carried a $140,000 tab. Not clear is what the strolling dinner and stage production did for Jax, but the owners are now convinced Disney can put on a whale of a' show. If parties count for anything, maybe the league will stiff Orlando and Jax and award a franchise to Dick Nunis. Hmmmmm. The Lake Buena Vista Characters, maybe? The worst part of the job so far for rookie NFL commish Paul Tagliabue? "I haven't attended a single basketball game this year, a matter of frustration both for me and for the athletic director at Georgetown," lamented the former Hoyas forward.

For the gathered coaches, the really important event comes Friday. That's when a batch of them will scoot up to Gainesville, armed with stopwatches and tape measures, to observe Emmitt Smith work out for the benefit of any interested NFL wallets. NY Giants owner Wellington Mara seemed to enjoy Sentinel description of him as the "Grand Old Man" of the league. However. "What does that make me?" Mrs.

Mara sniffed playfully. Comedians, comedians. LA writer says those moments when Lakers' Yugo center Made Divac rejects a shot could be called an "Eastern bloc." The Orlando Magic are hopeful that the infirmary will cough up a pair of battered old friends, Otis Smith and Sam Vincent, in time for duty against the Celtics on Friday night. Odds appear better at this day-to-day juncture for Smith (knee) than for buzzard's-luck Vincent (buttocks, toe, chin, forehead, Up, spleen, pancreas, elbow, clavicle, latissimus). Always ready with a punchline, GM Pat Williams says the team picture should be an X-ray.

Please see NFL, C-2 Baseball delays inevitable: Openers not postponed yet year I would like to go to the National League, if possible." The Minnesota Twins are offering refunds on tickets for Grapefruit League games scheduled for Tinker Field through March 23. "We have lost 10 of 15 scheduled home games," said Twins Ticket Manager Tom Blaha on Tuesday. Blaha said that tickets remain on sale for four of the five remaining games. A game with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 25 is a sellout. Blaha said the Twins lost five soldout games among the 10.

Thus, it appears baseball will have its third shortened season in 17 years, since no agreement is in sight after 3Vfe months of bargaining between the Players Association and the clubs. The last negotiating session was last Wednesday and no talks are scheduled. Union chief Donald Fehr and management negotiator Chuck O'Connor spoke several times by telephone Tuesday, but Fehr said "nothing of substance" was discussed. Management's six-owner Player Rela tions Committee met by conference call and decided to allow minor-league teams to play exhibition games in major-league spring-training ballparks. President Bush on Tuesday called on "both sides to get the matter resolved so the American people can hear that cry, 'Play ball' again.

"Yes, I'm a ball fan and I want to go to the opening game someplace," Bush said at a White House news conference. "Last year I went to the American League. This COMPILED FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS NEW YORK Commissioner Fay Vincent and the league presidents agreed Tuesday to wait until Friday before deciding whether to postpone the start of the baseball season, scheduled for April 2. On the 27th day of the owners' lockout, American League President Bobby Brown said games would not be made up if more than two or three were canceled from each club's 162-game schedule. Jackson repeats as Ail-American Bulls bouncing with NCAA fever ASSOCIATED PRESS By Russ White OF THE SENTINEL STAFF I WU II III II III! I.

IHI .11.11.1 W) 1 I I -v. i wm i Playar Poa College Derrick Coleman Syracuse Larry Johnson UNLV Lionel Simmons La Salle Gary Payton Ore. St. Chris Jackson LSU Complete page C-4 Louisiana State sophomore Chris Jackson was named to The Associated Press All-America college basketball team for the second consecutive year Tuesday, joining seniors Lionel Simmons of La Salle, Gary Pay-ton of Oregon State and Derrick C-4 Diaz's column FSU women prepare C-4 TAMPA Coach Bobby Paschal found out this week just how far the strides his University of South Florida basketball players made this season have tak C-4 Gathers a finalist C-4 Nation roundup SSSS Celts Larry Bird is scheduled for radio duty at 11 that morning on Williams' WWNZ talk show. That should throw his jumper out of whack.

Because he will be here a day early for donated performance at that unique black-tie-and-sneakers snowbabies benefit April 7, singer Eddie Fisher also volunteered for national anthem duty at Magic-Pacers the night before. At least one baseball star found some work during the spring lockout. George Brett worked as caddie for Orlando's Larry Ziegler during the recent Senior Tour Vintage Invitational in California One K.C. wag wanted to know if George tried to renegotiate after two rounds. Ouch NJ Nets Coach Bill Fitch, comparing two of his more stubborn pupils from different generations: "You don't deal with a Chris Morris as you do a Kevin McHale.

Coaching is like dealing with a ketchup bottle. If there's just one drop left like in a McHale you give it a smack to get one last bit of talent. If the bottle is full, and you give it the same smack, you make a mess of the whole thing. So you ease it out slowly, carefully." MY NEIGHBOR WOLFGANG says the MJgic need to add alhird number to thl-jersey of hard-luck Sam Vincent, making him, appropriately, 911. en tnem: ail tne way to Long Beach, on Friday for a Western Regional NCAA Tournament date against Arizona.

What the Sun Belt Conference champion Bulls wanted and now have been awarded is the first NCAA Tournament appearance in 19 years of basketball at USF. Making matters sweeter, the upstart Bulls are the only Florida school in the tournament "It's an undescribable joy that I feel for these players right now," Paschal said. "After all the hard work they've put in and the special place they've earned in my heart, I couldn't be happier for anyone than I am for these guys." Coleman of Syracuse and junior Larry Johnson of UNLV. Jackson: "It's great It's a very nice honor to be chosen again Like this. Nothing like this is possible by yourself.

It's the other players who should be given credit I thank them for their help in my accomplishments." Jackson, who last year became only the second freshman Ail-American (Oklahoma's Wayman Tisdale was the first), is the 52nd player to repeat in the 42 years the AP team has been selected. The second team is comprised of sophomore Alonzo Mourning of Georgetown, juniors Dennis Scott of Georgia Tech and Doug Smith of Missouri, and seniors Ru-meal Robinson of Michigan and Bo Kimble of Loyola Marymount. Senior Hank leathers of Loyola Mary- mount who collapsed and 1 -d during a game earlier this month, was selected to third team. ST. PETERSBURG TIMES Pleaseysee PASCHAL, C-4 Bulls Coach Bobby paschal addresses fans at pep rally..