While the Darius Songaila era was coming to an end yesterday, Celtics general manager Chris Wallace was riding a roller coaster in his candidacy for the same position in Portland.

Sources said yesterday that Wallace had emerged as the Trail Blazers' top candidate after winning their short list battle. But when the two sides stalled a bit in contract talks, there was word from Portland last night that the club had decided to start the process again with a broader search. The Blazers had planned to have a new GM in place by Thursday's draft, but they have now backed off that blueprint.

If Wallace stays with the Celtics, he will start in on a three-year, $2.4 million deal signed last summer. And with Danny Ainge hired above him as director of basketball operations, Wallace will face far less pressure with the Celts.

Wallace has said he would like to have the top voice in a personnel department - something he doesn't believe he ever truly had with the Celtics.

With Ed Stefanski receiving a better deal to stay in New Jersey and Blazers assistant GM Mark Warkentien reportedly about to be shown the door, Portland's short list had dwindled to just one - Wallace. But he is said to want a strong commitment from the club if he is to take on the task of rebuilding a club with numerous problems both on and off the court.