Floyd Landis ignored desperate pleas from his sponsor to avoid a public fight with Lance Armstrong, according to e-mails the seven-time Tour de France champion released in trying to prove the disgraced cyclist has “zero credibility.”

Armstrong released the messages Friday in a second day of attacks on Landis, who accused cycling’s biggest star of doping, teaching other riders to cheat and paying off a top cycling official after allegedly testing positive in 2002.

“Even a superficial review reveals a troubling, angry and misplaced effort at retribution by Landis for his perceived slights,” said a statement posted on Armstrong’s RadioShack team website. “While these types of repeated, tired and baseless accusations against Lance have been proven false in the past, it is quite regrettable, but telling, that so many in cycling are now attacked.”

CYCLING

Rogers tops in California

Big Bear City, Calif. — Michael Rogers has retained the overall lead in the Tour of California. Peter Sagan won the mountain stage, his second straight stage win.

NBA

Sixers tap Collins coach

Philadelphia — The Philadelphia 76ers made Doug Collins their top choice for a second time.

Collins was hired Friday by the Sixers, charged with reviving a franchise that went 27-55 last season and has the No. 2 overall pick in next month’s draft. A person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday that Collins agreed to a four-year deal.

Collins was selected among seven candidates, the second time the organization chose him above all others. The Sixers made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 1973 draft.

Pittman’s brother killed

Austin, Texas — Former Texas center Dexter Pittman left the NBA Draft combine Friday to be with his family a day after his half-brother was shot and killed in a Houston suburb. Texas spokesman Scott McConnell said Pittman’s high school coach and godfather, Bennett Hatten, told school officials that Darius Johnson, 15, was shot during a confrontation in Katy and later died at a hospital.

AUTO RACING

All-Star qualifying washed

Concord, N.C. — Qualifying for the NASCAR All-Star race has been rained out, giving Kurt Busch the pole based on the qualifying draw. Joey Logano will start on the outside of the front row today in the 100-lap race that pays more than $1 million to the winner. Brad Keselowski will start third, followed by Jamie McMurray, Kyle Busch and David Reutimann. Qualifying was to include the 18 drivers who had already secured spots in the field by winning a race in the past year, or by being a past All-Star race winner (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) or Cup champion (Bobby Labonte).

Busch takes trucks victory

Concord, N.C. — Kyle Busch earned his second win of the season in the NASCAR Truck Series, holding off charging Todd Bodine to win a race that didn’t end until early this morning because of a lengthy rain delay. Ron Hornaday Jr. finished third, followed by James Buescher and Elliott Sadler.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Jordan leaving Illinois

Champaign, Ill. — Jeff Jordan’s on-again, off-again basketball career at Illinois is over. Michael Jordan’s eldest son has been given his release to transfer to another school.

GOLF

Two share Nelson lead

Irving, Texas — Cameron Beckman finished an opening-round 69 on Friday at the Byron Nelson Championship, then tied the TPC Four Seasons course record — with a 61 in the second round. He’s at 10-under 130, tied for the lead with PGA Tour rookie Blake Adams. First round co-leader Jason Day is alone at 131.

Wie advances at Sybase

Gladstone, N.J. — Michelle Wie easily advanced to the round of 16 in the Sybase Match Play Championship on Friday, beating Hee Young Park 5 and 4 on a hot, humid afternoon at hilly Hamilton Farm.

NFL

Report: Favre has surgery

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre underwent arthroscopic left-ankle surgery Friday morning in Florida, according to an ESPN.com report.

Favre’s future has been up in the air since the Vikings lost to New Orleans in the NFC championship game. He had said he would need ankle surgery if he wanted to play in 2010, but there was no word Friday about his playing career.

Dr. James Andrews cleaned up scar tissue in Favre’s ankle to increase his range of motion.