Yao’s future

　　BUSAN: No. 1 draft Yao Ming is likely to get the nod from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) to play in the NBA after the Asian Games.

　　“Matters concerning Yao’s playing in the NBA will be made clear after the Asian Games,’’ said Li Furong, deputy chef de mission of China’s Asian Games delegation yesterday.

　　Li, a deputy director of the State General Administration of Sports, didn’t say what issues remain to be worked out.

　　Jordan to return

　　WASHINGTON: Michael Jordan plans to play another season with the Washington Wizards, saying he’s physically and mentally ready to return for the second year of his contract with the team.

　　Witness dies

　　PAPEETE, Tahiti, U.S.: The only witness to the disappearance of former NBA basketball player Bison Dele has died, but investigators said he left behind documents that could hold clues to the last minutes of Dele’s life.

　　Miles Dabord, Dele’s older brother, died in a California hospital Friday, a day after he was disconnected from life support. The 35-year-old computer operator was found in a coma nearly two months after returning from the islands of French Polynesia, where he sailed with his brother and two other companions who have been missing for 11 weeks.

　　Tennis

　　PALERMO, Sicily: Third-seeded Jose Acasuso of Argentina defeated former world No. 1 and top-seeded Marcelo Rios 6-4, 6-4 Saturday to reach the final of the US$381,000 ATP tournament in Palermo.

　　French 1st divison

　　Michael Isabey (L) of Sochaux kicks the ball through the legs Everson (R) of Nice during their French first division soccer match in Sochaux Saturday.

　　Auxerre went top of the standings by romping to a 4-1 victory at Nantes while Sochaux upset former leader Nice 1-0 and Bastia defeated Bordeaux 2-1.

　　Marseille trailed Nice on goal difference after its come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Ajaccio Friday.

　　Defending champion Lyon drew 1-1 at Troyes.

　　Other games: Monaco 2, Rennes 1; Bastia 2, Bordeaux 1; Sedan 4, Le Havre 4-0; Paris Saint-Germain 1, Montpellier Guingamp 2; Strasbourg 3 and Lens 0, Lille 0.