21.   DEFENDING champion Jo Durie underlined the yawning gulf separating the pretenders to her crown at the Volkswagen National championships in Telford.

22.   Almost everyone is afraid to say that the defending NBA champion Houston Rockets have traded their chances of a repeat to the Portland Trail Blazers.

23.   Also, the second year of free agency in the NFL had further stripped the defending champions of some of their finest young talent.

24.   Although Philadelphia snapped a seven-game losing streak against Cleveland Saturday night, the defending Eastern Conference champions should not be taken lightly.

25.   Although Serena had played four consecutive three-set matches, upending defending champion Lindsay Davenport in her semifinal, only Hingis was fatigued at the outset.

26.   Among those competing will be Paul Mullen of Melrose, Mass., the defending champion, and Matt Chao of Boston, a three-time national champion.

27.   An equal has grown up before the defending champions.

28.   And he figured his best opportunity would be with the defending back-to-back champions.

29.   And he is expected to play a utility role this season for the three-time defending World Series champions.

30.   And failed to get any of the key baskets needed to win against the defending Eastern Conference champions.