Rockets' Yao Ming officially retires

SHANGHAI — A large scroll behind the player who brought China to the NBA and the NBA to China summed up the occasion.

"Ming xie," it said in large Chinese characters that, loosely translated, mean "Yao Ming, thanks, the end."

Yao, with teary eyes at times and dressed in an equally somber black suit, closed the book Wednesday on his eight-year career with the Houston Rockets, conceding that injuries finally got the best of him.

"My past six months were an agonizing wait. I had been thinking (about my future) over and over," the 30-year-old Yao said in comments translated into English. "Today I am announcing a personal decision: ending my career as a basketball player and officially retiring. But one door is closing and another one is opening."

Chinese basketball star Yao Ming retires??

Yao Ming, the Chinese giant who became the first superstar basketball player from Asia, has told the Houston Rockets and the NBA that he has retired, according to multiple reports.

The Houston Chronicle, ESPN and Sports Illustrated reported that Yao has decided against trying to make another comeback after injuries limited him to playing in only five games over the past two NBA seasons.

The Chronicle reported that the 2.29-metre Yao told the club a month ago he was not coming back after eight seasons in the NBA, the most recent of which have been dogged by injuries.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Rockets or the league regarding the status of the 30-year-old Yao, whose groundbreaking career helped the global growth of basketball and made him one of China's most famous exports.

Azkals vs Sri Lanka

CHEERED on by 13,000 screaming fans and playing on familiar ground the Philippine Azkals trounced Sri Lanka , 4-0, in a rain-soaked match at the Rizal Football Stadium to advance to the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait.

A few days ago the Azkals were held to a 1-1 tie in Sri Lanka.