Junior Seau`s death “hit home” for ex- Patriot Ted

SECTION B
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Saturday, May 19, 2012
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C
M
Y
K
Junior Seau’s death
“hit home” for exPatriot Ted Johnson
Redskins
& 49ers
top ESYFL
Champs
by T. Gasu, Samoa News
Sports Correspondent
C
M
Y
K
The Eastern Star Youth Football League (ESYFL) ended its
second annual football season
last Saturday at the Onesosopo
Park, with memorable games
between the two divisional
Championship match ups.
Both teams who faced off
in the “Little Boys Division”
were ranked amongst the
bottom of the list in the league
and were not expected to make
it to the last game of the season,
but with an upset brought on by
both teams two weeks ago, the
49ers and the Buccaneers faced
off for this season’s ESYFL
Little Boys Division Championship. The Buccaneers were
the odd on favorites to win the
Championship title this season.
In the “Big Boys Division”, Aua Redskins set up the
biggest upset of the season,
as they faced the undefeated
Lauli’i Patriots. Throughout
the season, the Aua Redskins
were marked as the Champions
of the 2011 ESYFL season, as
they faced a new tough challenger in the league this year,
the Lauli’i Patriots.
LITTLE BOYS DIVISIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP
49ERS 8, BUCCANEERS 6
The match up opened with
the kick off from the Niners
over to the Buccaneers, that
saw the Bucc’s coming back
hard, setting up a great combination of run and gun plays
that led them all the way past
49ers territory. Paul Von
Dincklage as quarterback for
the Bucc’s, set up his offense at
the Niners 15 yard line. A running play that was pulled out at
the last minute by Von Dincklage when he saw the defense
bringing the blitz to the middle,
forcing Paul to roll out with
the football. Luckily for Von
Dincklage, his speed was what
he depended on when he hit the
sidelines and burned out his
defenders to taking in the first
touchdown of the game early in
the first half just 3:23 into the
game. Their two point conversion was unsuccessful to put
them up with a six point lead.
(Continued on page B6)
Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes open water swimming and
open water safety instructor, (L) 19 year old Daniel Saifoloi
from Se’etaga, last Saturday, moments after completing his
historic 9 mile relay with other instructors from the Toa o
le Tai Ocean Heroes and members from the Department of
Public Safety Marine Patrol Unit.
Saifoloi’s mother, Torise Saifoloi (center) and Michelle
Chase, wife of marathon swimmer Bruckner Chase beaming
[photo: Jeff Hayner]
with the hero. A.S. holds first Toa o
le Tai Ocean Heroes
Lifeguard competition
By Jeff Hayner, Samoa News Reporter
Today, the territory will witness an American Samoa historic first, the Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Lifeguard competition, with participants competing in Lifeguard events,
closing out this year’s Ocean Week (Our Island’s Ocean Is
Life), which began last Saturday, with a historic 9 mile relay
swim from Aunu’u Island to Utulei Beach Park , completed
by instructors of the Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Program, as
well as members of the Department of Public Safety Marine
Patrol Unit.
This morning at 8am, at the Utulei Beach Park, Toa o le
Tai members and others, will compete in another historic
event, when they put their training and hard work to the test
at Utulei Beach Park.
Samoa News spoke with 19 year old Daniel Saifoloi from
Se’etaga, who was also part of the historic 9 mile relay swim
and is an instructor for the Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Program. “I want to wish everyone good luck today. Just like
the relay swim last week, I hope that this competition will
encourage the youth of the territory to want to learn how to
swim and learn about water safety. By doing this, hopefully
some of the youth will become efficient enough in doing this,
that they to will be able to someday compete in a competition
like this one and become ocean athletes themselves,” said
Saifoloi.
The Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Lifeguard Competition,
as part of the Bruckner Chase Toa o le Tai Ocean Youth Program, in partnership with Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Public Safety and Fagatele
Bay National Marine Sanctuary, invites the public out to witness the young ocean athletes of the territory.
Reach the reporter at jeff@samoanews.com
BOSTON (AP) — Junior Seau’s death got former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson thinking again about his
own career in the NFL and his struggles with post-concussion
syndrome after he retired in 2005.
“It’s corrode or explode,” Johnson told a conference on pediatric concussions at Boston Children’s Hospital on Friday. “And
it all exploded by killing (himself).”
Seau shot himself in the chest on May 2, echoing last year’s
suicide of former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson.
Duerson left a note asking for his brain to be studied for signs of
brain trauma; no link has been established between Seau’s death
and the pounding he took during his football career, but Johnson
was convinced it was a factor.
“You can’t tell me the head trauma he had over his career
didn’t affect him,” Johnson said. “That was the tip of the tipping
point for me. ... It makes you take inventory on your own mortality. If that can happen to him, I’ve got to be more diligent in
how I live my life. ‘Cause it’s a road I don’t want to go down.”
Johnson played 10 years in the NFL — all of it for the Patriots
— before retiring at the age of 32 on the first day of ‘05 training
camp when he began to fear the next big hit.
“As a middle linebacker, my job is to initiate contact. It’s not
to run away from contact,” he said. “I knew it was over for me,
because I knew I wasn’t going to be the same player.”
What followed were the typical symptoms of what is now
recognized as post-concussion syndrome (along with an addiction to stimulants), but no diagnosis. One doctor wanted to send
him to electroshock therapy, but instead he asked concussion
guru Chris Nowinski for his opinion and got referred to Dr.
Robert Cantu, a leading concussion expert, instead.
Finding out that he was suffering from a recognized disease
— and that he was not alone — was a relief.
“It’s a shame-based issue,” he said, calling concussions the
“invisible injury.” ‘’You can’t see into the brain. ... It makes you
feel like less of a man.”
Johnson said he thought the NFL had improved its procedures
for dealing with head injuries, and he thinks players will no longer
be pressured to come back too soon after a concussion. He thought
Seau’s death will also help bring attention to the problem.
(Continued on page B7)
Former New England Patriots football player Ted Johnson
pauses while speaking to reporters after addressing a conference on pediatric concussions at Children’s Hospital in Boston,
Friday, May 18, 2012.
Johnson says the death of former Patriots’ Junior Seau was
“the tip of the tipping point” that convinced him to speak out
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
for concussion victims. Page B2
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Gasol ‘wins’ award
as NBA’s top citizen
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis goes flying after colliding with St. Louis Cardinals runner Tyler Greene, out on a fielder’s choice - Shane Robinson reached first - in the sev(AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
enth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles Friday, May 18, 2012. Pirates avoid no-hitter
but lose 6-0 to Tigers
DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander came
within two outs of his third no-hitter, allowing
only Josh Harrison’s ninth-inning single in the
Detroit Tigers’ 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh
Pirates on Friday night.
The 29-year-old Verlander, last year’s AL
MVP and Cy Young Award winner, nearly
became the sixth major league pitcher with at
least three career no-hitters. But with one out in
the ninth, Harrison reached out and flicked a 1-2
slider into shallow center field for a clean single.
The crowd at Comerica Park, already on its
feet, gave Verlander a big ovation and the righthander quickly finished off the Pirates with a pair
of groundouts. Verlander (5-1) completed his onehit gem with 12 strikeouts and two walks. It was
his sixth career shutout and 16th complete game.
Verlander no-hit Toronto on May 7, 2011. His
other no-hitter came June 12, 2007, against Milwaukee. This was his first one-hitter, although
he allowed one hit in eight innings against the
Los Angeles Angels last season, one of several
close calls to go with the no-hitter against the
Blue Jays. Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder hit
consecutive RBI doubles in the first off Charlie
Morton (2-4). Delmon Young added a solo
homer in the fourth.
YANKEES 4, REDS 0
NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte pitched
eight sharp innings for his first regular-season
win since July 2010, leading New York over
Cincinnati. Making his second major league
start since ending his one-year retirement, the
39-year-old Pettitte (1-1) limited the young,
free-swinging Reds to four hits — all singles. He
struck out nine and walked one, throwing 78 of
115 pitches for strikes.
Given a 1-0 lead on Alex Rodriguez’s RBI
grounder in the fourth, Pettitte pitched well
enough to make it stand up. Robinson Cano hit
a solo homer off Bronson Arroyo (2-2) in the
eighth and Raul Ibanez hit a two-run drive, his
eighth homer of the season.
Boone Logan pitched a perfect ninth as New
York stopped a three-game skid.
BRAVES 5, RAYS 3
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tommy
Hanson pitched seven effective innings, Freddie
Freeman drove in two runs and Atlanta beat
Tampa Bay. Hanson (5-3) allowed two runs and
six hits. Freeman had a run-scoring double and
Brian McCann hit an RBI single that put the
Braves up 4-2 in the fifth. Martin Prado added a
solo homer in the seventh.
Chipper Jones left after seven innings because
of a bruised left calf. Craig Kimbrel got three
outs for his 12th save.
James Shields (6-2) gave up four runs and
seven hits over six innings for Tampa Bay. Luke
Scott had two RBIs.
MARLINS 3, INDIANS 2
CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Zambrano
pitched seven strong innings to help Miami open
interleague play with a victory over Cleveland.
The Marlins broke a 2-all tie in the eighth
on a sacrifice fly by Hanley Ramirez. All three
Miami runs were scored by batters who walked.
Zambrano (2-2) gave up four hits and two
runs as he continued a strong first season in
Miami after 11 years with the Chicago Cubs.
The right-hander has a 1.96 ERA in eight starts
since being acquired in a January trade.
Heath Bell worked the ninth for his fourth
save in eight chances.
Tony Sipp (0-2) took the loss as Cleveland
had a four-game winning streak snapped.
Marlins center fielder Emilio Bonifacio left
with a strained left thumb in the fifth inning.
BLUE JAYS 14, METS 5
TORONTO (AP) — J.P. Arencibia and Rajai
Davis each hit two home runs, Yan Gomes hit his
first career homer and Toronto routed the New
York Mets. Trailing by nine, the Mets gave their
weary bullpen a break by turning to catcher Rob
Johnson to pitch the eighth. Johnson produced
New York’s only 1-2-3 inning of the night,
striking out Eric Thames to end it. Arencibia hit
a three-run homer in the first off Jonathon Niese
(2-2) and finished with a career-high six RBIs as
the Blue Jays won their third straight.
Ricky Romero (5-1) was the beneficiary of
Toronto’s power surge, winning for the first time
in three starts. The left-hander allowed one run
and three hits in six innings. Niese, winless in
five starts, lasted three innings and matched a
career worst by allowing eight runs.
WHITE SOX 3, CUBS 2
CHICAGO (AP) — Gordon Beckham hit a
tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the
Chicago White Sox beat their crosstown rivals in
what was likely the final major league game for
Cubs reliever Kerry Wood.
Beckham’s solo shot and a two-run drive
by Paul Konerko in the first were the only runs
allowed by Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (4-2).
Konerko sustained a laceration above his left
eye and swelling when he was hit by Samardizja’s pitch in the third inning and had to leave
the game. Tests revealed no other problems
with Konerko’s eye. Matt Thornton (2-3) won
in relief of Philip Humber. After striking out
his only batter on three pitches, Wood left to a
rousing ovation at Wrigley Field. He plans to
(Continued on page B4)
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Pau Gasol probably would
have been a doctor if he hadn’t grown up to be 7 feet tall and
awfully good at basketball.
The Lakers forward sees his charity work with UNICEF
and children’s hospitals as a different way to fulfill the dreams
instilled in him by his medically minded Spanish family.
Gasol won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award on
Friday for his extensive charity work as a UNICEF ambassador, winning a vote by members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association.
“It’s a great honor for any player to receive,” Gasol said
Friday after the Lakers’ shootaround for Game 3 of their
second-round playoff series against Oklahoma City. “It should
be an honor for any player to have the opportunity to give back
and to make the community better, be a role model to all the
other kids and people. I think it’s very important when you have
that opportunity, you take advantage of it. You maximize it.”
The four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion is
the second straight Los Angeles player to win the award. Ron
Artest was given the Kennedy Award last year for his work in
mental health awareness before he changed his name to Metta
World Peace.
Gasol has traveled the globe to raise awareness for UNICEF
over the past seven years, primarily working on programs
involving nutrition, education and health care for children. He
also has strong ties to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in
Memphis, where he began his NBA career.
“When you have an opportunity to have a positive impact on
somebody’s life, especially for me around kids, it’s worth all
the dedication,” Gasol said.
Gasol’s mother was a physician, and his father was a medical
administrator. Pau was born at the Barcelona hospital where
both of his parents worked. Pau became interested in a career
in medicine after Magic Johnson announced he had contracted
HIV in 1991, when Gasol was 11.
Gasol took classes in a pre-med program at the University
of Barcelona as a teenager, but gave up his studies when his
basketball career took off. Gasol’s interest in medicine hasn’t
waned, and his charity work has included observing orthopedic
surgeries and other medical procedures, sometimes surprising
surgeons with knowledgeable questions about their work.
“It fulfills a lot in me as a person, as a human being,” Gasol
said. “To me, that’s above and beyond basketball. Obviously,
basketball has allowed me to have these opportunities, and
that’s why I feel so fortunate, but to me it’s much stronger,
much more powerful than the basketball game.”
Gasol’s mother has volunteered at St. Jude since the family
moved to Tennessee along with Pau and then stayed there after
his brother, Marc, joined the Grizzlies in the trade that sent
Pau to the West Coast. Pau plans to continue his work with St.
Jude and UNICEF indefinitely, and he encouraged other NBA
players to find charitable causes to support.
“When I have a chance to do something that I feel is important, I do it,” Gasol said.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, left, of Congo
reaches for a rebound along with Los Angeles Lakers forward
Pau Gasol of Spain during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA
basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal, Friday, May
18, 2012, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Lakers won 99-96. samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B3
NUUULI PLACE CINEMAS
699-3456
$5.25 - Bargain Matinees All Shows Before 6pm
$5.25 - Senior Admissions All Day
$4.25 - All Day For Kids
$6.75 - Adults
Discount Tuesdays
$5.25 - ADMISSION ALL DAY TUESDAY
Excludes Holidays
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, left, is pressured by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Derek Fisher
during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal in
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles, Friday, May 18, 2012. The Lakers won 99-96. Kobe leads Lakers past
Thunder in 99-96 thriller
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant’s perfection at the free-throw line was big for the desperate Lakers. His poise in the fourth quarter was
even bigger, and it got Los Angeles back into its
second-round series with Oklahoma City.
Bryant made 18 free throws without a miss
and scored 14 of his 36 points in the fourth
quarter, and the Lakers rallied late for a 99-96
victory in Game 3 on Friday night, cutting the
Thunder’s second-round series lead to 2-1.
Metta World Peace swiped the ball from
Kevin Durant and hit two free throws with 12.9
seconds left for the third-seeded Lakers, who
shook off the memory of their late collapse in
Game 2. When Durant missed a potential tying
3-pointer before Andrew Bynum blocked Serge
Ibaka’s shot at the buzzer, the Lakers’ frenzied
crowd celebrated only their second victory in the
last six playoff games. Game 4 in the back-toback set is Saturday night.
Durant scored 31 points before missing his last
shot for Oklahoma City, which seemed poised to
move to the brink of its second straight trip to the
Western Conference finals with a five-point lead
inside the final 3 minutes. Instead, the Thunder
lost for the first time in the postseason, getting
outscored 12-4 down the stretch.
After blowing a seven-point lead in the final 2
minutes of Game 2, Los Angeles finished Game
3 on a 6-2 run in the final 33 seconds, all on free
throws. The Lakers went 41 for 42 from the line,
including 26 for 27 in the second half.
“You have to knock those freebies down,”
Lakers coach Mike Brown said. “You’re not
going to get any better look in a game than a free
throw. That’s how good (the Thunder) are.”
The Lakers said the 41-of-42 performance at
the line was the second-best in NBA playoff history for teams with more than 30 attempts. Only
Dallas’ 49-for-50 effort against San Antonio on
May 19, 2003, was better.
Russell Westbrook and James Harden scored
21 points apiece for the Thunder, who couldn’t
match the Lakers’ late-game execution after
soundly out-executing the Lakers in Game 2.
“We put them on the line,” Oklahoma City
coach Scott Brooks said. “We can’t do that.
Down the stretch, you have to defend them
without fouling and rebound the basketball.
Unfortunately, we came up short.”
Bynum had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the
Lakers, who got 12 points apiece from Pau Gasol,
Ramon Sessions and Steve Blake. Gasol also had 11
rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, who didn’t
appear worried while flirting with an 0-3 deficit,
which has never been overcome in NBA history.
“We’ve got a great, veteran group of guys who
have been through all this,” Brown said. “They
stepped up to the plate and gave us a chance to
win down the stretch.”
Oklahoma City’s bench celebrated a 92-87
lead on Westbrook’s breakaway dunk with
2:55 to play, but the Lakers trimmed away with
Gasol’s free throws, Bryant’s layup and several
possessions of tenacious defense. Bryant’s free
throws put the Lakers ahead with 1:09 to play.
Durant immediately hit a go-ahead jumper
with a hand squarely in his face, but Bryant added
two more free throws - his 15th and 16th - to put
Los Angeles ahead 95-94. The Thunder finished
26 of 28 from the line, but the Lakers went 17 for
18 in the fourth quarter alone.
The game was the first of four second-round
NBA playoff games in just over 48 hours at Staples Center, also the site of the NHL’s Western
Conference finals between and Kings and Phoenix
on Thursday and Sunday. The top-seeded San
Antonio Spurs will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday in an afternoon game before the
Thunder and Lakers play Game 4.
Thanks to the NBA’s shortened schedule,
the Lakers are playing their first back-to-back
playoff games since May 22-23, 1999, in the
second round against San Antonio during another
season shortened by labor strife. Staples Center
was bubbling with energy even before tipoff,
with thousands of Lakers fans actually deigning
to wear the gold giveaway T-shirts that are usually tucked under chairs or slung over shoulders.
The Lakers responded to the buzz, jumping to
a 16-6 lead while Oklahoma City missed its first
five shots and used two timeouts. The Lakers led
by 12 points in the first quarter, but Oklahoma
City erased it quickly in the second quarter when
Bryant left the game.
Harden was booed the first time he touched the
ball in his first game at Staples since World Peace
gave him a concussion with a vicious elbow in
the Lakers’ penultimate regular-season games.
Tempers flared in the second quarter when Westbrook furiously attempted to prevent World Peace
from tying him up for a jump ball. World Peace’s
knee came down on Westbrook’s leg during a brief
skirmish including Jordan Hill, and both Westbrook
and World Peace received technical fouls.
Oklahoma City surged in front during the
third quarter, but the Lakers kept it close despite
a rough quarter from Bryant. Kendrick Perkins’
interior defense largely prevented Bynum from
scoring in the low post, but the Thunder also
struggled for offensive consistency.
The Lakers stayed in Game 3 with incredible
free-throw shooting, making their first 28 foul
shots before Bynum missed with 9:15 to play.
NOTES: Before the game, Gasol received the
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his
charity work as a UNICEF ambassador. World
Peace won the award last season. ... Perkins had
six points in 30 minutes, but coach Scott Brooks
put no limit on his minutes in the back-to-back
games despite the veteran’s sore hip. ... NBA
Commissioner David Stern, Denzel Washington,
Snoop Dogg, The Game, Ice Cube, Redskins QB
Robert Griffin III and the Los Angeles Kings’
Mike Richards, Drew Doughty and Jarret Stoll
and attended the game.
BATTLESHIP – Rated: PG-13
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Liam Neeson
Peter Berg (Hancock) produces and directs Battleship, an epic action-adventure that
unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as our planet fights for survival
against a superior force. Based on Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, Battleship stars
Taylor Kitsch as Lt. Alex Hopper, a Naval officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones;
Brooklyn Decker as Sam Shane, a physical therapist and Hopper’s fiancee; Alexander
Skarsgard as Hopper’s older brother, Stone, Commanding Officer of the USS Sampson;
Rihanna as Petty Officer Raikes, Hopper’s crewmate and a weapons specialist on the
USS John Paul Jones; and international superstar Liam Neeson as Hopper and Stone’s
superior (and Sam’s father), Admiral Shane.
Friday: — 4:00 7:00 10:00
Saturday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 10:00
Sunday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 —
“Discount Tuesday”:
— 4:00 7:00 10:00
Mon-Wed-Thurs:
— 4:00 7:00 —
THE AVENGERS – Rated: PG-13
Starring: Robert Downy Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth
Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black
Widow answer the call to action when Nick Fury, director of the international
peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., initiates a daring, globe-spanning
recruitment effort to assemble The Avengers team to defeat an unexpected
enemy threatening global safety and security. Despite pulling together the
ultimate dream team, Nick Fury and longtime confidant Agent Coulson must
find a way to convince the Super Heroes to work with, not against each other,
when the powerful and dangerous Loki gains access to the Cosmic Cube and
its unlimited power.
Friday: — 4:00 7:00 10:00
Saturday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 10:00
Sunday: 1:00 4:00 7:00 —
“Discount Tuesday”:
— 4:00 7:00 10:00
Mon-Wed-Thurs:
— 4:00 7:00 —
NOTES
Discount Tuesdays, all tickets are $5.25 for all shows.
Movies and Times are Subject to change without notice. Call
699-3456/699-9225 for additional information. Gift Certificates
make the perfect gift and are available at our Box Office!
Page B4
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Houston Astros’ Jordan Schafer slides beneath Texas Rangers third baseman Texas Rangers’
Adrian Beltre to steal third base in the first inning of an interleague baseball game, Friday, May
(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
18, 2012, in Houston. ➧ Baseball Action…
Continued from page B2
announce his retirement Saturday.
PHILLIES 6, RED SOX 4
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cole Hamels
pitched seven strong innings and Jonathan
Papelbon saved his first game against his former
team in Philadelphia’s sixth straight victory.
Hamels (6-1) gave up three runs on six hits
while striking out nine and walking one.
Freddy Galvis and Hunter Pence homered
for the Phillies and streaking Carlos Ruiz went 2
for 3 with a pair of RBIs for Philadelphia, which
moved two games above .500 for the first time
this season. Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth
for his 12th save in as many chances. Papelbon
had 219 saves in six seasons with the Red Sox
before signing a four-year, $50 million deal with
Philadelphia in the offseason. Adrian Gonzalez,
Mike Aviles and Cody Ross homered for the
Red Sox. Daniel Bard (3-5) allowed five runs on
three hits with five walks in five innings.
ORIOLES 2, NATIONALS 1, 11 innings
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nick Markakis homered into the second deck in right field to give Baltimore a victory over its beltway rival. Markakis’
blast off Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus (2-1)
helped the Orioles improve to 6-2 in extra innings
with all six victories coming on the road.
The first-place Orioles have won four straight.
Four Orioles relievers followed starter Jake
Arrieta, including Kevin Gregg (2-1) in the 10th
inning. Pedro Strop allowed two runners to reach
in the 11th inning before finishing off the Nationals
for his third save. Arrieta matched his career-high
with nine strikeouts. He allowed one run and six
hits, walking one in seven innings. Edwin Jackson
(1-2) matched him, allowing one run in eight
innings with eight strikeouts and one walk.
RANGERS 4, ASTROS 1
HOUSTON (AP) — Adrian Beltre homered
and drove in two runs and Michael Young broke
out of a slump with two hits and an RBI to lift
Texas over Houston.
Rangers starter Neftali Feliz allowed three
hits and a run with five walks in 4 2-3 innings —
his shortest start of the year. He was relieved by
Robbie Ross (5-0), who allowed one hit in 2 1-3
innings for the win. Joe Nathan pitched a perfect
ninth for his ninth save. He has appeared in four
straight games for the first time since September
2009. Wandy Rodriguez (3-4) gave up three runs
and a season-high 10 hits in six innings.
Josh Hamilton went 1 for 5, a day after his
16-game hitting streak ended. Ian Kinsler added
three hits for the Rangers.
DIAMONDBACKS 6, ROYALS 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Miguel Montero had three RBIs, driving in the go-ahead runs
with a double in the eighth inning, and Arizona
beat Kansas City. The Royals tied it in the seventh before Kelvin Herrera (0-1) gave up backto-back singles to Willie Bloomquist and Justin
Upton to start the eighth. Montero’s second
double of the game off reliever Tim Collins gave
the Diamondbacks the lead.
Brad Ziegler (3-1) and Craig Breslow got the
game to J.J. Putz, who earned for his eighth save.
Chris Young came off the disabled list to add
a pair of RBIs for the Diamondbacks, who have
won consecutive games for the first time since
April 29 to May 1. Billy Butler homered for the
Royals, who are 4-16 at home.
TWINS 11, BREWERS 3
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Scott Diamond won
his third straight start and Josh Willingham homered as Minnesota routed Milwaukee. Diamond
(3-0) gave up a run in the first, ending the 14-inning
scoreless stretch he put together in two starts since
he was called up from the minors. He went on to
give up three runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings.
Willingham hit a two-run shot, Joe Mauer
had three hits and three RBIs and Denard Span
had four hits and three RBIs for the Twins. Ryan
Braun hit his 11th home run for the struggling
Brewers, who made four errors. Marco Estrada
(0-3) gave up four runs and six hits in five innings.
ANGELS 4, PADRES 2
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jered Weaver and two
relievers combined on a three-hitter, Mike Trout
had an RBI triple among his three hits and the
Angels beat the Padres.
Albert Pujols singled, walked and scored
twice in his first game in an NL ballpark since
leaving St. Louis and signing a $240 million,
10-year contract with the Angels on Dec. 10.
Making his third start since throwing his first
career no-hitter, Weaver (6-1) held San Diego
two runs in seven innings while allowing a homer
and two singles. He struck out four and walked
three. Scott Downs pitched a perfect eighth and
former Padres pitcher Ernesto Frieri allowed a
walk in the ninth.
Jeff Suppan (2-2) took the loss.
DODGERS 6, CARDINALS 5
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A.J. Ellis drew a
bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning, helping
the Dodgers to a victory over the Cardinals in
the opener of a series between the NL West and
Central Division leaders. Los Angeles’ Adam
Kennedy had four hits against his former team
and James Loney drove in two runs.
Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman, 3 for
31 with 10 strikeouts against Dodgers left-hander
Ted Lilly, was not in St. Louis’ starting lineup
despite having led the NL with 22 road home runs
last season. He came up with two outs in the ninth
as a pinch-hitter for Shane Robinson and drove
an 0-1 pitch from closer Kenley Jansen into the
pavilion seats in right-center for his first homer
in 41 at-bats this season — ending the longest
season-opening drought of his 14-year career.
GIANTS 8, ATHLETICS 6
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Zito outdid
his old Oakland team, Brandon Belt drove in
three runs, and the Giants beat the Athletics in
the Bay Bridge Series opener. Hector Sanchez
had two RBIs to back Zito (3-1), who won the
2002 AL Cy Young Award across the bay in
Oakland but left for a $126 million, seven-year
deal with the Giants before the 2007 season.
Josh Donaldson homered, doubled in a run
and hit a three-run double off Steve Edlefsen for
the A’s, giving Donaldson career-bests of three
hits and five RBIs. But Oakland couldn’t overcome a shaky night by starter Jarrod Parker (1-2)
and lost their 10th straight in San Francisco’s
waterfront ballpark dating to 2009.
Clippers try to dig
out of a 2-0 hole
against the Spurs
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Down 2-0 against the San Antonio
Spurs, the Los Angeles Clippers face the tough task of needing
two victories at home to keep pace with the NBA’s hottest team.
Making things worse are injuries to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin
that have robbed the superstars of their effectiveness.
“The mood is still pretty good,” Griffin said Friday after practice and a video session. “We’re not completely out of this.”
Not yet.
Game 3 on Saturday is particularly crucial for the Clippers
because no team in NBA history has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.
“The next game is our Game 7,” Clippers coach Vinny Del
Negro said. “We got to fight, we got to claw, we got to do whatever we can.”
Paul’s turnovers in the playoffs - 38 in nine games - are up
significantly since he strained his right hip, while Griffin added
a left hip injury in Game 2 to a sprained right knee that was
already limiting his elevation to the rim.
“It’s one of those nagging things,” Griffin said about his hip.
“Just kind of put that to the list of everything that we have right
now. We just got to find a way to play through them and find a
way to counteract them.”
Bolstered by inspired play from their trio of 30-somethings,
the Spurs have won 16 straight games, including a 6-0 mark in
the playoffs.
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have helped
them to a 27-2 record in their last 29 games.
They beat the Clippers by double digits in each of the first
two games, using their depth and 3-point shooting.
“We’ve shifted the offense a bit so it’s a little more perimeter-oriented the last couple of years,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Timmy understands that, but he continues to rebound
and play defense. We’ve gone to him quite a bit during these
playoffs. He’s a competitive son of gun and he’s one hell of a
player.”
The Clippers will try to regroup with two straight games at
home, where they were better than on the road in the regular
season. They did lose Game 6 to the Grizzlies at Staples Center
on May 11, the last time they were there, before winning Game
7 in Memphis to reach the Western Conference semifinals.
“We know Game 3 is going to be very, very hard,” Parker
said. “We should focus on that and not focus on the winning
streak or what we’re doing good. We know Saturday is going to
be a long, long, long game. Very physical.”
The unusual schedule of consecutive games on Saturday and
Sunday will test the mettle of Paul and Griffin, along with the
aging Duncan (36), Parker (30) and Ginobili (34).
“It’s hard to find that fine line between conserving and pacing
yourself, and you got to kind of give it your all every minute.
I’m just kind of searching for that,” said Griffin, who had 20
points and one rebound in Game 2.
“The best thing about the back-to-back is that they have to
go, too. We’re not put at any disadvantage that they aren’t. It’s
going to be a big mental game Sunday coming off the second
day. We got to be prepared and locked in.”
Paul, who wasn’t made available to the media on Friday, has
been unwilling to admit his injury is affecting his play. But his
numbers tell the story. He had 16 points and 13 turnovers in the
first two games.
“He’s a little tentative. He hasn’t gotten his legs under him
yet,” Del Negro said. “Some of the turnovers are not like him. I
expect him to bounce back well.”
Two minor leaguers get
50-game suspensions
NEW YORK (AP) — Mets prospect Daniel Muno has been
suspended 50 games for testing positive for a performanceenhancing drug. Luis Rojas, a pitcher in the San Francisco
Giants’ organization, also was suspended Friday for the same
violation of the minor league drug program.
Muno, an infielder, tested positive for a metabolite of Drostanolone. The 23-year-old switch-hitter was batting .283 with
five homers and 23 RBIs in 38 games for Class-A St. Lucie.
Rojas tested positive for metabolites of Stanozolol. He has
no record and a 3.38 ERA in six relief appearances for Class-A
San Jose. The right-hander was in the Mets’ organization from
2007-11. The commissioner’s office said both suspensions are
effective immediately. There have been 43 suspensions this
year under the minor league drug program.
Heat regroup
after shocking
loss to Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- As panic ensued along South Beach
and the national scrutiny intensified, the Miami Heat decided to
chill out. After the storm, there was silence.
One day after they lost by 19 points and Dwyane Wade lost
his cool in Game 3 against a balanced Indiana team growing in
confidence and not getting nearly enough credit, the Heat canceled
Friday’s practice and media availability. They stayed back in their
downtown hotel to recharge mentally and physically.
Miami needed a short-term escape.
A team that loves the spotlight dodged it for a day.
Trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals
and with Chris Bosh unlikely to return in this series, the Heat are in
trouble and have two days to regroup before a Game 4 that LeBron
James has already deemed vital to the team’s NBA championship
chase. “It’s a must win, honestly,” the league MVP said after Game
3. “We’ve just got to go out and play.”
The Pacers also took advantage of the two-day break - per NBA
rules, teams are not typically required to meet with the media when
there are two off days between games and they do not practice
- between games to rest and recover. They chose not to practice
either, but coach Frank Vogel doesn’t have nearly the issues facing
Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, whose team appeared to unravel during
Thursday’s loss. As the Pacers pulled away in the third quarter,
Wade, having one of the worst playoff games of his career, got into
an ugly sideline exchange with Spoelstra. An angry Wade appeared
to swear at his coach before brushing him aside and then had to be
steered away from the coach’s huddle by several teammates.
“We’ve got a lot of alpha males in this locker room,” said veteran forward Udonis Haslem, who managed to settle down Wade.
“It’s all constructive criticism. I don’t think it’s personal with anybody. Emotions get high. It’s the playoffs.”
Spoelstra tried to dismiss the confrontation with Wade following the game, but the damage was done and the sight of one
of Miami’s “Big Three” arguing with his coach raised questions
about the Heat’s future should they again fall short of a title.
Wade’s health, however, is a major worry. The eight-time AllStar is clearly not himself. He’s not making explosive moves to the
basket and settling for jump shots that aren’t falling.
He scored just 5 points - his second-lowest output in 95 career
postseason games - on 2 of 13 shooting. He didn’t score in the first
half and didn’t adequately support James, who has had to move to
power forward with Bosh out with a strained abdominal muscle.
If not for Mario Chalmers kicking in 25 points, many coming on
aggressive drives, the Heat would have been beaten even worse.
Wade has reportedly been receiving extra treatments for lingering
leg soreness. He doesn’t have his usual lift, which could account
for many of his jumpers being short. He’s never been one to make
excuses, and Wade, who missed 17 games this season with assorted
injuries, won’t start now. To be fair, Wade isn’t the only reason the
Heat are in hot water. Miami’s bench hasn’t stepped up. The Heat are
5 of 42 on 3-pointers, and Miami’s front line is being outrebounded
by Indiana’s big men, who have thrown their weight around inside.
The Pacers are punishing the Heat.
Center Roy Hibbert dominated at both ends of the floor in
Thursday’s win, racking up 19 points, 18 rebounds, five blocks and
an unspecified number of alterations. Of all Miami’s problems, the
7-foot-2, 260-pound Hibbert could be its biggest.
The 25-year-old is beginning to put it all together, and his maturity is a major reason the Pacers have risen from also-ran status to
contenders this season. Hibbert has been getting tutelage from an
unlikely mentor, San Antonio center Tim Duncan, who has been
helping him with his skills in the paint and outside the lines.
“We sat down and talked to see how he goes about his business,” Hibbert said of the Big Fundamental. “He doesn’t get too
high or too low. I model my game after him. He texts me after
every game. I’m very appreciative.”
Vogel was grateful he had Hibbert in Game 3.
“One of the best games I’ve ever seen him play,” he said.
Without Bosh, Spoelstra, who started Dexter Pittman at center
in Game 3, doesn’t have an answer inside for Hibbert, who helped
the Pacers outrebound the Heat 52-36.
Miami’s next rebound, though, must be to even the series at 2-2
and get back to Florida, where Bosh has remained to get extensive
rehab so he can return in the next round.
A loss on Sunday would put the Heat on the brink of elimination, well short of a championship Miami has craved since losing
in the finals last season.
While others have their doubts about Miami’s chances, Spoelstra believes his team can bounce back.
“Everything can change in the next two days with a win, and we
have a lot of veteran guys who understand that,” he said. “We’re
fine and that extra day of rest will help us.”
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B5
Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce (34) battles for a loose ball with Philadelphia ‘76ers players during
Game 4 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series on Friday, May 18,
(AP Photo/The News Journal, Suchat Pederson)
2012, in Philadelphia.
76ers stun Celtics 92-83
in Game 4 to even series
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Andre Iguodala
snapped a tie game with five straight points in the
final 90 seconds to help the Philadelphia 76ers
storm back from 15 points down in the first half
and stun the Boston Celtics 92-83 on Friday night
in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The young Sixers were a team reborn in the
second half and played like a squad that refused
to roll over for the championship-tested Celtics.
“I don’t even know where to start,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “Our guys are
pretty amazing. They really are.”
The Sixers tied the series at 2-2 with the huge
comeback and guaranteed a return home for one
more game. Iguodala, one of the more maligned
athletes in recent Philadelphia history, put the
Sixers ahead 85-83 with a step-back jumper and
buried a 3-pointer for a five-point lead.
Game 5 is Monday in Boston.
Iguodala scored 16 points, Evan Turner had
16 and Lou Williams added 15.
Kevin Garnett had his first bad outing in an
otherwise monster series with nine points. With
Garnett in a funk, so were the Celtics. The Sixers
just kept attacking, turning a first half of airballs,
botched dunks and sloppy defense into a fullblown display of near-flawless basketball.
Thaddeus Young’s thunderous slam tied the
game at 63 in the middle of the fourth. And when
Jodie Meeks drained a 3-pointer on the Sixers’
next trip down the court for Philadelphia’s first
lead 20,000 fans stomped their feet and unleashed
two hours of pent-up jubilation.
Williams hounded Paul Pierce and forced a
turnover, fed the ball to a streaking Turner for a
dunk and put the lead at 68-65. It was that kind of
hustle that brought the Sixers back. After Garnett
blocked a Lavoy Allen shot, Young snagged the
ball out of the air and score to make it 74-all.
Game 4 came down to young legs, fresh enthusiasm and untested big-game experience vs. aging,
championship-tested stars fighting for another title.
Give the edge to the Sixers.
Iguodala, who has been branded as the face
of a mediocre franchise over his eight seasons,
has changed that talk with a clutch postseason.
He sank the winning free throws in Game 6 to
finish off the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the first
round. And it was Iguodala who finished off the
Celtics in Game 4.
Pierce had 24 points and Rajon Rondo had 15
points and 15 assists. Garnett, who turns 36 on
Saturday, missed nine of 12 shots. The Celtics
look primed for a blowout victory after the first
10 minutes of the game. They hold out hope a
trip back to Boston can make them forget about
this collapse.
“Coming out of halftime they came out more
physical, and we got into that instead of playing
basketball. We lost our composure,” Celtics
coach Doc Rivers said.
Philadelphia CEO Adam Aron tweeted at the
break, “This will have to be one of the best come
backs ever for the (at)Sixers.”
Down 15 at the half, the under-25 crew found
their spark, their legs and their shooting touch to
crank up the pressure on the Celtics.
Williams hit a 3, Iguodala hit a 3, and Williams converted a three-point play to make it
58-54. Williams stood on the free-throw line with
the widest smile of anyone in the building and
calmly sank the deficit-slicing free throw.
Meeks, a starter-turned-sub, stole an errant
pass and went all the way for his first bucket of the
game to make it 63-59 at the end of the quarter.
Philadelphia’s 10 baskets in the third were one
more than their total for the entire half and their
28 points were three shy off their halftime total.
“We’re just going to keep fighting,” Collins
said. “That’s what we do.”
The Sixers had vowed they would be a more
determined team after the veteran Celtics dismantled and demoralized them on their home court in
Game 3. The Sixers said after their 16-point loss
in Game 3 that they would return more focused
in preventing another hot Celtics start that took
them out of the game and sucked the atmosphere
out of the Wells Fargo Center.
The Celtics squashed that attitude before
thousands of fans had taken their seats moments
after the opening tip.
Pierce and Avery Bradley hit 3-pointers, Garnett hit a pull-up 20-footer and the Celtics raced
to a 14-0 lead only 3 1/2 minutes into the game.
The Sixers truly couldn’t find their footing.
Young bounced the ball off his sneaker on a drive
down the lane, and Pierce converted on the other
end for an 18-3 lead.
The Celtics could never find that extra scoring
boost to truly put away the Sixers. Rondo, Garnett and Ray Allen all had quiet first 24 minutes
and the Celtics let the lead drop to seven.
Rondo scored an uncontested bucket coming
out of a timeout to end the half and put the Celtics
up 46-31.
“That was probably the worst we could shoot,”
Iguodala said. “They were playing as good as
they could play and we were shooting poorly.”
Notes: The 76ers head to Boston 2-8 over
their last 10 road postseason games. ... The Sixers
haven’t won a playoff series when they trailed
2-1 since 2001.
Page B6
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012
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A look at this year’s Big Boys Division “Back to Back” Champions, the Aua Redskins, who brought down the undefeated Lauli’i Patriots last Saturday in the
[photo: TG]
ESF Championship game with a 22 - 8 victory. This was the first time Aua was able to bring down Lauli’i, and it was in the final game of the season.
➧ Championship…
Continued from page B1
Both teams played out a great defensive game throughout the two halves of
play and managed to keep each other out
of goal line possessions. But it wasn’t
until late in the second half that the
Niners managed to answer back to their
six point trail, with a stunning third down
passing play. 49ers on the Buccaneers 10
yard line with a third and long situation
had to be very careful. If they failed, it
was all over. Niners’ quarterback faking
the hand off to AJ Iosua, and rolling out
to drop a perfectly placed pass to Lopati
Spitzenberg for their first touchdown of
the game, tying up the game 6 – 6. But a
tie wasn’t what the Niners were looking
for when they executed their two point
conversion with the same play. This
time, though, saw the quick hand off
to the middle to Aroni Taua’a who was
never marked in the game, that managed
to send the Niners over the Bucc’s with a
two point lead of 6 – 8, to end the match,
and send the Niners home with their first
Championship title of the season.
The Little Boys Division awards
were handed out at the end of the game
with Offensive Player of the Game
going to Jacob Umu of the Niners. The
Defensive Player of the Game went out
to Foma’i Vaina of the Buccaneers. The
Most Valuable Player of the Game was
awarded to the Niners’ Aroni Taua’a.
Coach of the Year Award went to the
Eastern Star Youth Football League’s
“Defensive Player of the Year” for the
Little Boys Division Paul Vondincklage
of the Pagai Buccaneers. Paul struggled
with his team against the Niners during
their Championship game, losing 6 - 8.
49ers Chester Manaea who told Samoa
News, “this Coach of the Year Award
isn’t just for me. I want to dedicate this
award out to all of my coaching staff,
George Tafua, Vili Fea, Fa’asavala
Agae, and Chester Manaea.”
BIG BOYS DIVISIONAL
CHAMPIONSHIP
REDSKINS 22, PATRIOTS 8
The No.2 ranked team in the league,
the Aua Redskins made the number one
team in the league, the Lauli’i Patriots,
pay for every mistake they made in the
Championship game.
Mistakes started in the first quarter for
the Patriots, when they had first possession of the ball. Pinned deep in their own
territory and on a fourth and long situation, a simple punting situation was what
everyone thought was going to happen,
but the story changed when Head Coach
Lafu Ta’ase called to quarterback Gus
Napoleon to go for it on their own 10
yard line. The snap sounded on a shot
gun formation, an obvious passing play,
turned sour for the Patriots when Napoleon was sacked hard in the back field on
their 1 yard line by a host of Redskins, to
turn the ball over for a scoring advantage
for Aua. Coming on to play first down in
a fortunate situation, first down situation
was a quarterback keeper by Aleipata
Feleti who was stopped inches away
from the goal line by Siale Ula. Then
on second down, Fereti forcing the ball
inside the end zone with a quarterback
sneak, sent the Redskins to the lead for
the first time 6 – 0.
Blessman Ta’ala of the Aua Redskins was named the Defensive Player
of the League after leading Aua in
bringing down the undefeated Lauli’i
Patriots and winning the Championship for a back to back title.
This was the first time ever the Lauli’i
Patriots ever fell behind by points since
the league started, aside from their early
scoring schemes. So, the Patriots were
in a comeback situation for the first time
this year.
With 3:44 remaining in the second
quarter, and again, the Patriots are
pinned deep in their own territory,
playing a second down situation on
their own 1 yard line, with Gus Napoleon lined up inside the end zone in a
shotgun formation, who was totally surprised to see Blessman Ta’ala storming
into the end zone to sack Gus Napoleon
for a safety, the first safety of the season,
sending the Aua Redskins on an eight
point lead with the Patriots still at zero.
Then, in the second half of the ball
game, late in the third quarter, the
Patriots expecting to rise up to the occasion were totally disappointed again
after the Redskins created another way
to the end zone, on a third down situation from the Patriots 29 yard line, an
inside counter hand off play to Junior
Fiso, who flashed out to the end zone,
and was hit hard by Gus Napoleon just
before the end zone causing a fumble,
with the ball rolling into the end zone.
Aua’s Daniel Afano was fast enough to
get to the ball, and recovered it in the
end zone for another Aua touchdown
with just 3:21 remaining in the third
quarter as the Redskins extended their
lead in the championship game 14 – 0.
Late in fourth quarter, with just 1:12
remaining in the ball game, and the Red-
Ferrin Manuleleua of the Lauli’i
Patriots was named the the Eastern
Star Youth Football League’s Offensive
Player of the Year. Manuleleua led the
Patriots to an undefeated season, only
to lose the Championship game.
skins find themselves in another fortunate situation, a threatening first down
play on the Patriots 1 yard line, and
quarterback Fereti hands off the quick
dive to the middle out to Leroy Fesili
who scored another touchdown situation
for the Aua Redskins. Their two point
conversion was good on a passing play
from Fereti out to Seti Sailele to extend
their lead 22 – 0.
Just as the Aua Redskins thought they
would shut out the Patriots, the Lauli’i
Patriots thought otherwise when Ferrin
Manuleleua came into play quarterback on the Redskins 10 yard line, and
dropped back to find Gus Napoleon on
the quick slant pass play that was caught
by Napoleon for their first touchdown of
the game with just 13 seconds remaining
in the game. Their two point conversion was good again by Napoleon, but it
was too late, as they went home with an
undefeated season going down the drain
after suffering a 22 – 8 loss against the
Aua Redskins, who claimed their “Back
to Back” Championship title.
Eastern Star Youth Football League
President Sua’ese Pooch Ta’ase ended
the season thanking all the sponsors
who supported ESF making this year’s
football season possible. “I would like
to acknowledge Highway Patrol, Trophies & Things., Parks and Recreations
Veavea Semana, the Iaeli & Tavai families in Onesosopo, Skyview Store in
Aua, Fagaitua High School, Panamex,
Florence & Saulo Insurance,” said President Sua’ese Ta’ase.
Juke Machine Gus Napoleon of the
Lauli’i Patriots, was named this year’s
Eastern Star Youth Football League’s
“Most Valuable Player”. Gus Napoleon is the Lauli’i Patriots quarter[photos: TG]
back, and safety.
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B7
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The Utumea 49ers who claimed this year’s first ever Eastern Star Youth Football League’s Little Boys Division Championship, after defeating the Pagai Bucca[photo: TG]
neers with an 8 - 6 victory, last Saturday at the Onesosopo Park. ➧ Ted Johnson
Continued from page B1
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But he said players might
need to be convinced to speak
up for themselves — even in a
league where contracts are not
guaranteed.
“That dynamic in itself
creates a lot of problems,”
Johnson said. “You don’t want
to get labeled as a guy that’s
easily concussed.”
Johnson said his problems
started after a concussion in a
2002 game, when he got his
“bell rung,” he said.
Four days later he was back
at practice and he was concussed again.
In a 2007 newspaper
article, Johnson said coach
Bill Belichick pressured him to
return before he was ready.
“It’s as clear as a bell, ‘I
had to see if you could play,’”
Johnson recalled Belichick
saying, according to The New
York Times.
“I was put in a position
where I felt compelled to play
against doctors’ orders, so
I did,” Johnson said Friday,
adding later that he held no
grudge against Belichick, the
Patriots or the NFL.
Asked whether he would
play football again, knowing
what he does now, Johnson
thought and listed all of the
things the NFL made possible
for him.
But he did take issue with
current and former players,
including Patriots receiver
Chad Ochocinco, who said
players know what they sign
up for when they playing the
NFL.
That might be true now, but
it wasn’t just a few years ago,
Johnson said.
“You guys hardly ever get
hit,” Johnson said, mentioning
Ochocinco and Cris Carter by
name. “You don’t ever get hit
in practice. And when you do,
you complain about it.”
Office of
Highway Safety
Page B8
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012
MOVE ON INSTEAD
OF FOCUSING ON
WHO’S TO BLAME
BY TOM & RAY MAGLIOZZI
Dear Tom and Ray:
We recently purchased a 2003
Honda Civic with 80,000 miles. The
previous owner was very fastidious
about maintenance, and had replaced
several major items within the past six
months, including the timing belt, for
which he provided us receipts. My husband was driving the car recently and
accelerated to pass another vehicle,
when the Civic suddenly lost power
and some of the dashboard lights
came on. Fortunately, he was close
by, and was able to limp home at a slow speed. We had the car towed to the
repair shop that we have used previously, and they diagnosed the problem
as a burned-out alternator and PCM. The mechanic told us that the problem
was caused because when the timing belt was replaced, the alternator was
left loose and not grounded. He said that when there was a power surge
during acceleration, both the alternator and the PCM burned out. The repair
bill was $1,200. We contacted the shop where the timing-belt repair was
done, and the owner denies that his work would have caused this damage.
He said our repair shop sold us unnecessary parts, and said the alternator is
not touched when a timing belt is installed. He also pointed to the five-month
span between the time the work was done by his shop and the alternator
problem, and suggested that any problems with the repair would have shown
up sooner. We don’t know what to believe. What do you think? -- Kathi
TOM: Well, first of all, you have our condolences, Kathi. The PCM
is the powertrain control module, also known as “the computer.” That’s
why this repair was so expensive.
RAY: Is the story possible? Can an ungrounded alternator cause this
damage? I’m sure it can. I’ve never wanted to find out, so I’ve always
made sure my customers’ alternators are grounded when they leave
the shop. But inadequate grounding
can potentially cause a host of electrical problems.
TOM: But can you attribute it
directly to the guy who changed the
timing belt five months ago? That’s
almost impossible, at this point.
RAY: He had to loosen the alternator to remove the other belts in
order to get at the timing belt. So it’s
possible he neglected to tighten the
pinch bolt that grounds the alternator
to the bracket through its housing.
TOM: But then why did it take
five months to fail? I suppose it
could have loosened up more and
more over time until it was not
grounded at all, but on a 10-yearold car, one of those could just as
easily have failed on its own for
another reason.
RAY: Or it’s possible that the
guys at your shop were the ones
who were mistaken, or dishonest.
TOM: I sympathize with you
guys. You just got what is supposed to be a reliable car, and you
immediately had an expensive and
unexpected repair. But that sometimes happens with cars, even
when it’s nobody’s fault.
RAY: So my advice would be
to forget about it and move on with
your lives. I don’t think you’ll ever
know for certain whether this was
somebody’s fault unless you engage
CSI: Midas Muffler. So assume
there was no evil deed done here -the car just broke down -- and don’t
lose any more sleep over it.
“Chicken Soup for the Soul:
Boost Your Brain Power!”
• • • • • • • • •
“A book burrows into your life in a very profound way because the experience of reading is
not passive.” -- Erica Jong
• • • • • • • • •
A lover of books
encourages
others to read
• • • • • • • • •
It was “Pop Warner’s Book for Boys.” I’ll
never forget it. I was probably around 7 years old
when my parents gave me that book. Who could
have guessed what a fire it would light in my life?
Thanks to old “Pop,” I was encouraged to
develop a passion for sports, a habit of clean,
upright living, and most of all, to fall in love with
books. When he told me in his book that athletes
never drink, smoke or swear, I believed him! And
I made sure I never did, either. Books can have a
tremendous influence, especially when it comes
to raising the bar on our thinking and behavior.
I’m known as a voracious reader and usually
have several books going at one time, with a goal
to finish one every day. Each one has made me a
different man than I was before I opened it, but
a few have made a profound difference in my
life. I think particularly of “Veeck as in Wreck”
by the late great Chicago White Sox owner Bill
Veeck -- a book I discovered while working in
the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Thanks to
a fortunate set of circumstances in my life at that
time, I had the opportunity to meet Veeck. We
developed a lifelong friendship, and few people
have had a greater influence on my NBA execu-
tive career.
By the early 1980s, I found myself receiving
numerous requests to speak before audiences at a
variety of venues. I was flummoxed. What kind
of message could I deliver? How could I develop
the confidence to speak with conviction? Could
I, little ol’ Pat Williams, actually make a difference in others’ lives? I knew I’d find the answers
I sought in books, and I was not disappointed.
Two wonderful volumes, both written by longtime NFL defensive end and ministry founder
Bill Glass, “Expect to Win” and “Plan to Win,”
laid out the principles I needed to launch my
speaking career.
Today, I speak on a regular basis. And everywhere I go, I issue my reading challenge: one
hour a day, from a book. I don’t care how you do
the hour -- it can be 60 minutes all at once, two
30-minute sessions, four 15s, or 60 ones. Just do
it! When you make that commitment, you’ll be
finishing an average of one book a week. That’s
52 books a year! The very idea sends an endorphin rush straight through me.
In the research done for my book “Read for
Your Life: 11 Ways to Transform Your Life
With Books,” we came across data corroborating
the brain-boosting power of books. One report
suggested that such mind-engaging activities
as crossword puzzles and reading actually can
delay or even prevent age-related memory loss.
Another article from a renowned health professional touted the importance of keeping our
minds from wandering. I don’t know about you,
but I plan to live every day with a sound, fully
engaged mind, and nothing I’ve found keeps me
more focused than a good book.
As a reward for my reading evangelism, I
regularly receive letters, phone calls and emails
from those who’ve taken up my one-hour-a-day
challenge. They feature key words and phrases
like: “Your book has transformed my life!” “I am
honored to accept your challenge to read every
day” and “books have allowed me to educate
myself ... to become more confident, to become
a better conversationalist, and have provided me
with opportunity and inspiration for many of
my personal projects.” If that isn’t evidence that
reading boosts your brain, I don’t know what is.
I’ve heard it said that reading is mental dental
floss. And I believe that once you’ve made books
an integral part of your life, as I have mine,
you’ll agree that nothing comes close in the
brain-boosting category.
Most people who know me will say that I am
something of an over-the-top kind of guy. And
with my 50-year career in professional sports,
my 19 children and more than 70 published
books of my own, they would be right. I believe
in squeezing every minute out of every day that
I possibly can. Even now that I am battling multiple myeloma, I’m doing my level best not to
yield any ground. And why not?
After all, we are not here on our own time.
We owe it to the one who gave us our life in the
first place to put it to good use.
In my home I have a vast library of books.
And at the heart of them all is that Pop Warner
book -- red, cloth-bound and well-worn from all
the reading. Nothing has influenced me more
than the love of reading that book inspired.
Why not power up your brain with a great book,
starting today?
CLASSIFIEDS
for sale
for sale
1997 FORD ECONOLINE VAN
5.4 engine Auto, good engine,
15 passenger van $6,000.
New wheels to fit a Nissan vehicle w/ tires. $2,000 [05/22]
1/4 ACRE LAND in Nu’uFaleula Apia. Contact #7334582 [05/24]
for sale
FOR SALE
BRAND NEW ELECTRONICS
@ www.ktechsamoa.com, 32”
TV $350, 19” TV $200, 7” portable DVD players $85, car stereo $75, cellphones: Android,
Sider, Flip, Touchscreen; Microwaves, call 731-8326, 2520789 or 256-6235. [05/22]
‘98 FRONTIER SPACE CAB, in
good condition, A/C, manual.
$4,500. 256-8040, 256-6803,
699-5436. [05/12]
NEW
SHIPMENT
OF
CLOTHES All sizes. Men’s &
children’s shorts, women’s
plus sizes, large jeans. Ongoing sale of $5 Bag. Mary’s
Homestyle Bargains. Malaeimi
699-9557. [5/21]
for sale
FOR SALE
NEW & USED TOOLS &
EQUIPMENT, hammer drills,
skill saws, arc weld, mini cement mixer, chop saw, cement
vibrator, compactor (roller &
plate), bobcat loader, air compressors, etc. Call 733-2005,
699-1444. [05/21]
FOR SALE
2005 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA,
2011 SILVER TOYOTA CAM- Good condition. Everything
RY in excellent condition. Ins works. Asking $9,500 OBO.
good til Aug 2012. Mileage Call 252-4010 or 699-1346.
800, one owner, one driver
$25,000. great vehicle for family or taxi. Call 699-7512 or HELP WANTED
733-3099[05/22]
CANON PRINTER (PIXMA/ 2 WELDERS needed at TJ
IP1600), two office chairs, sev- Welding. 10 years experience
eral movies (DVDs), women’s on Ammonia Lime Welding.
shoes (4 pair, brand new, size Send resume to PO Box 1950,
8-9). 733-8433. [05/22]
Pago Pago, AS 96799 [05/19]
for sale
HELP/JoBS
ur Community
o
Y
for rent
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B9
FOR RENT
JULY 1ST, 2012
3 BEDROOM 2 BATH HOME,
Ideal home. Located in Utulei.
partially furnished. For more
info call Al at 699-4689 or 2562125 [05/25]
2 BDRM/2 FULL BATHROOM
HOUSE, near golf course, furnished w/ stove & refrigerator.
Affordable rent, includes water & electricity. Must see to
appreciate. Call Dani @ 2587442 for appt. [05/25]
ROOMS AND HOUSE FOR
RENT in Pago. Call 770-6708
or 770-5249. [05/19]
for rent
FOR RENT
3 BDROOM APARTMENT w/
living room, dining room, electric range, refrig, 3 air/con,
huge parking lot, also a studio
bdrm w/ air con, queen bed,
shower and many more, available anytime. 252-8383, 2587260, 699-9603. [05/21]
CLEAN 3BDRM 2 BATH
HOME, comes w/ ceiling fans,
AC units in master & living rm,
washer, dryer, hot water. very
comfortable and safe. Can
furnish if needed. Property
is fenced, covered carport.
$1,250 mo. Available May
18. sreid41@yahoo.com, 6999169, 252-0202 [05/21]
Approximately 1,150 square feet of prime retail/office
space on the ground floor of this building in Nu’uuli.
The space is currently occupied by Origin Energy but they
will be moving out in June and the space is available for
rent on July 1st.
If interested please call 699-2100.
FIRST OFFICERS - Dornier 228
Inter Island Airways, Inc is hiring First Officers for it’s operations.
Flight Minimums: U.S Commercial Multi-engine Instrument
Rating, 300 Hrs Total Time, Current 2nd Class Medical, Current
Instrument Proficiency Check, FCC Restricted Radio Permit, and a
Valid Passport, Authorization to work in American Samoa. Send
Resume to Fax 699-5880 or call 699-5700 for more information.
BULLETIN BOARD
Brought to you by
We’re here for you - 633-5599
LAUNIUSAEALUA SPORTS ASSOC. Basketball League Meeting
for interested teams. Monday, May 21st @ SHS Gym. Sila 7334667 or Ernie 633-4505. [05/21]
On-line Subscription
ASVBA special meeting for Samoa Volleyball Federation Invitation.
Monday, May 21st @ 4:30 p.m. @ President’s guest house. All interested team & clubs welcomed to the meeting. 733-6143. [05/21]
GROUP SUPPORT HANNAH to rebuild strength, to restore wisdom
& understanding & working together side by side to overcome any
obstacle, please call and join us. Pua 770-6938 or 633-2855
SURVIVORS TAKING ACTION THROUGH SHARING Meeting every
Saturday. Open Fellowship, All are welcome @ Lion’s office by Showers of Blessing. Elizabeth 770-2504 or 699-0272 (Victiims of Violence)
FARM FAIR 2012 Hosed by Dept. of Agriculture will be July 4th.
More info call office 699-9272.
ASOA General Meetings. Will be held each month on the 3rd Friday
at 10am at ASOA Center in Tafuna on Tasi St. All seniors welcome.
Questions, call Marilyn 699-4432.
AA MEETINGS Held at Catholic Social Services. Samoan version
- Tues. & Thur. 12noon. English version - Tue. & Fri. 5-6pm (Hope
House)- More info 699-6611/5683 or 258-6302
YANA If you are feeling lonely & need someone to talk to, we are
here for you. Please contact us at 252-YANA(9262) 24/7
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Have you been diagnosed with cancer & need someone to talk to? Call Stella 731-8606.
AS-EPA SAYS:
Litter hurts. .
Do the right thing
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“Linking Samoans Worldwide”
Page B10
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012
Universal Crossword
Saturday,
May 19, 2012
Edited by Timothy E. Parker May 19, 2012
ACROSS
1 Rental
document
6 Anatomical
pouch
9 Arrange, as a
blind date
14 Rooms with
open ceilings
15 “Horned”
flyer
16 ___-loading
(pre-marathon activity)
17 Less
hospitable
18 Genevabased
workers grp.
19 Two-tone
cookies
20 Jump around
on the sofa?
23 Crooner
“King” Cole
24 Diddly-squat
25 Flaws
27 Exceedingly
large
32 One of
Alcott’s “Little
Women”
33 Strongman
Ferrigno
34 Air Force Two
passengers
in the ’90s
36 Old coin of
Europe
39 Palindromic
male name
41 Zenith
opposite
43 Accelerator
particles
44 Ulan ___
46 Dating from
birth
48 You may get
it for effort
49 “Touching”
Olympic
event
5/19
51 Any sense
organ
53 Some fish
fins
56 It’s big, for a
blowhard
57 Bone of
contention
58 Laborer used
for underground work?
64 A day’s march
66 Word on an
Uncle Sam
poster
67 “I do” sayer
68 Alfred who
coined the
phrase
“inferiority
complex”
69 Birler’s perch
70 Access a
computer
network
71 Casts off the
skin
72 Barely
achieve (with
“out”)
73 Act like a
thespian
DOWN
1 Non-clerical
2 Carve in
granite
3 Covent
Garden solo
4 “Burnt”
Crayola color
5 Producing
income
6 Agronomist’s
sample
7 Cobblers’
tools
8 Mushroom
___ (atom
bomb’s wake)
9 Displayed
disdain
10 A friend may
lend one
11 Attire
popular with
private eyes
12 WWII naval
menace
13 Chatroom
contributions
21 “Bennie and
the Jets”
singer John
22 Antietam
soldier
26 Case with
buttons and
needles
27 Amorphous
mass
28 Ninth Greek
letter
29 Not-sosuper bowl?
30 1979 hostage
locale
31 Chestmaker’s wood
35 Building
location
37 “Domini”
lead-in
38 Alexandra
Feodorovna’s
husband,
for one
40 “Clumsy me!”
42 Competed at
Pimlico
45 Kindle buyers
47 Easily
deciphered
50 ___ Lilly pharmaceuticals
52 “Fiddler on
the Roof” fear
53 Cherished
desire
54 Achieve a
personal best
55 Baroque or
rococo, e.g.
59 Boil, broil or
bake
60 See
27-Across
61 Computer acronym about
faulty data
62 Spruce up,
as a story
63 “The Son of
Man” painter
Magritte
65 Astro,
Scooby-Doo
or Dino
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
5/18
© 2012 Universal Uclick
www.upuzzles.com
THE HOLE NINE YARDS By Mark Hooper
a transition that will improve your life and your
future. Don’t let a personal matter stand in the
way of your success. ✸✸✸✸✸
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Work on projects
you can complete on your own. Money matters
should be dealt with promptly to avoid unnecessary costs. Home improvement, a move or sizing
down will work in your favor. A relationship will
improve if you discuss future plans. ✸✸✸
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Forward-thinking
with progressive action will help you turn an OK
event into a smashing success. Your input can
bring you the results you want and help you grab
the recognition that will allow you to expand in
new directions. ✸✸✸
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Change
things around at home to prepare to make a
move or lifestyle change. Taking time to research
a job that interests you will pay off. It’s time for
new personal and professional beginnings. Take
a leap of faith. ✸✸✸
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Make things
happen. You have more control than you realize.
Set your standards high and everyone will live up
to your expectations. Nothing is impossible once
you choose your course of action. Changes you
make at home will bring great returns. ✸✸✸✸✸
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take a moment
to reconsider your options and to formulate the
best possible move. Opposition will attempt to
use emotional blackmail in order to get you to do
something that encroaches on your space. ✸✸
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): There is money
to be made. Get busy fleshing out your ideas and
putting them to the test. You will gain all the support you need when you promote and present
what you have to offer. Last-minute changes will
lead to success. ✸✸✸✸
✸✸
Birthday Baby: You are intense, strongVIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Set your sights
high and go after your goals. Traveling or net- willed and money-oriented. You appreciate
working will lead to ideas that promote making quality.
Happy Birthday: Look at your financial
situation, your assets and your liabilities. You
can jump ahead if you discuss your position and
plans with the right agency or individual. An idea
can turn into a lucrative pursuit that can also bring
you great satisfaction and enjoyment. Enjoying
what you do is half the battle. Your numbers are
3, 12, 19, 24, 28, 30, 46.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Inattention to
detail due to a time restriction will hurt you. An
encounter or an old memory will open your eyes
to new possibilities. Backtracking and implementing something you’ve used in the past will
help fill a void. ✸✸✸
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your emotions will
set you on a course that can alter your life. Follow
your heart, but proceed cautiously. There will be
a price to pay for stubbornness or indulgence.
Refresh your memory and you’ll find a way to
please everyone. ✸✸✸
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your financial
experience will play a role in the outcome of any
encounter with institutions or authority figures.
Knowing your rights and respectfully displaying
intelligence will help you overcome any adversity.
Love is highlighted late in the day. ✸✸✸
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t waste time
trying to change the impossible. Focus on what
you can accomplish and you will discover options
that allow you to follow a path that doesn’t require
you to deal with the limitations that have been
holding you back. ✸✸✸✸
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A chance to improve
your financial situation is within reach. Focus on
what you can do to make a difference. A short
trip will help you choose a lifestyle that can ease
your stress. Love and romance are on the rise.
Dear Abby
by Abigail Van Buren
TEEN’S ANTI-CURSING CRUSADE CAUSES HER FRIEND TO CRY FOUL
DEAR ABBY: I’m 19 and have a dear friend,
“Emily,” who is offended by cussing. She literally has never said a curse word in her life. When
I’m around her I never use swear words because
I respect her and her friendship. My issue is that
Emily gets very upset if people swear around her.
There have been nights that she ended up in tears
because someone used foul language. She also
angrily confronts people on this issue.
I commend my friend on her decision not to
curse, but I think it’s unrealistic of her to expect
everyone in the world to bend to her morals. I also
think it’s wrong for her to try to force them. Abby,
what are your thoughts? -- CHALLENGED FRIEND
IN LARAMIE, WYO.
DEAR CHALLENGED: If Emily prefers not to be
in the company of people who use four-letter words,
that’s her privilege. And if she finds it offensive, she
has a right to speak up and make it known. But to
“wind up in tears” because someone used foul language -- as long as it wasn’t directed toward her -- is
overreacting. And for her to angrily confront someone
about it would only invite more of the same. Emily
will be much happier if she spends more time in the
company of people who feel as she does.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
DEAR ABBY: My daughter, “Gina,” is engaged
but hasn’t started making any plans yet. We have
had some rough mother/daughter years but are
now in a good place. When it’s time, I would like my
daughter to ask me to help her pick out her wedding gown. I have a strong hunch that Gina will ask
a girlfriend instead. I also know that if I talk to her
about my wishes, she’ll say, “Sure” or ask me to
join her friends. This may seem silly, but I want her
to want just me to go. What do you think is the best
way to handle this? -- MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
DEAR MOTHER: Your relationship with your
daughter may be better now, but its pattern was
established years ago. You appear to be extremely
invested in an “ideal” of how her wedding will be. For
your own sake, lower your expectations. You can’t
make somebody want something if it doesn’t come
naturally. Because Gina isn’t a mind reader, speak
up now for that exclusive mother/daughter shopping
jaunt. If she likes your fashion sense, she may agree.
However, it is not unusual for a bride to include not
only her mother, but also her attendants and future
mother-in-law when choosing her wedding dress.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend bought his house
two years ago. We were fortunate to have found
such a darling little place. It was owned by only
one woman since it was built in the 1950s. She is
now deceased, and we have no way of contacting
anyone in her family.
For the last two years my boyfriend has
received greeting cards from an old friend of
the former owner. What should we do about the
greeting cards? I feel terrible that he doesn’t know
the woman who lived here is no longer with us. -STEPHANIE IN URBANA, ILL.
DEAR STEPHANIE: I know you and your boyfriend have the best of intentions, but according to
the post office, whether there is a return address on
the envelope or not, you should write “deceased”
on the envelope and let the Postal Service handle
the matter.
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012 Page B11
Page B12
samoa news, Saturday, May 19, 2012
C
M
Y
K
C
M
Y
K
REMINGTON COLLEGE - HONOLULU CAMPUS, ACCREDITED MEMBER, ACCSC
For Disclosures of Tuition Costs, On Time Graduation Rates, Median Loan Debt, Placement
Rates and Occupational Information, go to www.remingtoncollege.edu/ge-disclosures.