The Philippine Online Chronicles

In the NBA, the Detroit Pistons have something to smile about after beating the Indiana Pacers in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Despite their disappointing season so far, the Pistons pulled the necessary stops to hand the Pacers their second straight loss.

Meanwhile, US NCAA basketball action is getting hotter as the season draws to a close. Earlier today, the Butler Bulldogs once again pulled a miracle to beat the higher-seeded Florida Gators to advance to the semifinals of this season’s NCAA tournament.

In boxing, Cuban boxing sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa pummeled Mexico’s Jorge Solis to retain his WBA and IBF featherweight titles. In front of almost 3,000 people in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Gamboa finished off the taller Solis in four rounds.

Lastly, up and coming light heavyweight contender Phil Davis notched the biggest victory of his young career by beating MMA legend Antonio Rogerio Nogueira via unanimous decision. Davis, who was a former national wrestling champion back in college, took down Nogueira in all rounds to secure the victory.

NBA: Detroit 100, Indiana 88

In spite of their disappointing season so far, the Detroit Pistons pulled off a rare victory that needed all of the players working together as one unit.

With veteran guard Richard Hamilton leading the way with 23 points, the Pistons put away the Indian Pacers, 100-88 to secure a victory at home.

Aside from Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey added 16 points and forward Tayshaun Prince and Charlie Villanueva both finished with 13 apiece.

For the Pacers, Brandon Rush scored 18 points, rookie Tyler Hansbrough added 16, and main man Danny Granger contributed 14.

The Pistons took full control of the game by erecting an 18-point lead in the third quarter. However, the resilient Pacers squad slowly chipped off the lead and cut it down to six points midway through the fourth canto.

Hamilton took charge from that point on, making a layup, then dishing a slick pass to Stuckey to finally seal the deal for the Pistons.

With the loss, the Pacers are just one game ahead of the Charlotte Bobcats for the last spot in the Eastern conference playoffs.

Earlier in the season, Hamilton didn’t get along with new coach John Kuester causing him to be benched. Eventually, his minutes rose up after talking to Kuester to resolve the conflict.

US NCAA men’s basketball: Butler 74, Florida 71

For the second straight year, the Butler Bulldogs will be advancing to the NCAA’s Final Four. Earlier today, the Bulldogs survived a late deficit to force overtime against the Florida Gators.

In the extra period, the Bulldogs made the right plays and defensive stops to finally eliminate the Gators from the NCAA, 74-71.

Guard Shelvin Mack finished with 27 points, five them from the overtime to help the Bulldogs defeat another higher-seeded team in the tournament. Aside from him, Matt Howard added 14 while Khyle Marshall chipped in 10 points.

For the Gators, Vernon Macklin scored a career-high 25 markers. Kenny Boynton also added 17 and big man Alex Tyus had a double-double outing, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Weeks ago, this same Bulldogs squad eliminated the 1^st-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers, the 4^th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers, and this time around, the 2^nd-seeded Gators.

In the overtime period, Mack drained a clutch three-pointer to give the Bulldogs the lead, 72-70. In the next play, Boynton missed a three-point attempt that could have snatched the lead for the Gators. Mack nailed two more free throw shots to finally secure the win for the Bulldogs.

Ever since winning back-to-back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007, the Gators haven’t won a game in the NCAA tournament.

In regulation, the Gators looked like they were going away with the victory after building a nine-point lead with nine minutes left. However, the resilient and gritty Bulldogs slowly clawed back courtesy of Mack, Howard, and Marshall.

Boxing: Gamboa KOs Solis, retains WBA featherweight crown

Slowly but surely, the world is taking notice of what Yuriorkis Gamboa can do. The Cuban boxing sensation destroyed Jorge Solis of Mexico to retain his WBA and IBF featherweight championship belts.

Gamboa, who is undefeated in 20 professional fights, knocked Solis out fives times before finishing him off with over a minute left in the fourth round.

Solis already hit the canvas after receiving a crisp right hook from Gamboa in round four. When he tried to stand up, the Cuban champion pinned him against the ropes, which is when a flurry of punches shook Solis even more.

Eventually, referee David Fields had to put an end to the fight.

Gamboa’s strength and quickness advantages are so pronounced that he didn’t have any difficulty dropping Solis in the second and third rounds.

With the win, Gamboa is set to face another undefeated and explosive fighter in WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez. If that doesn’t work out, Indonesia’s Chris John is also a possible opponent for the 29-year old Cuban pugilist.

Gamboa has now defended his featherweight titles for the fifth straight time. He won the title belts in 2009, just two years after defecting from Cuba.

UFC Ultimate Fight Night 24: Davis outpoints Nogueira, remains undefeated

The light heavyweight division continues to get bigger, stronger, and faster with the emergence of a new breed of fighters.

Just a week ago, Jon Jones showed the world what length, athleticism, and strength can do inside the Octagon. One week later, Phil Davis, used the same capabilities to subdue a tough opponent in Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Davis pounded Nogueira in three rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory in the UFC’s Fight Night 24.

In the first round, the older and more experienced Nogueira hit Davis during their standup exchange. Davis tried to use his superior wrestling techniques, but Nogueira’s amazing takedown defense frustrated the younger and bigger Davis.

Eventually, Nogueira’s impeccable takedown defense began to sputter and in the last minute of the second round, Davis finally took down the grizzled Brazilian fighter. With full control on top, Davis punished Nogueira by launching vicious kicks to the head and body.

In the third round, Nogueira was exhausted from all the blows that he’s been receiving from Davis for the first ten minutes of the match. Though Noguiera tried to salvage the victory by fighting in the standup, Davis had no trouble taking him down at will.

With the win, Davis improved his record to 9-0 while Noguiera is now 19-5.

“Richard Hamilton” by Keith Allison c/o Flickr. Some rights reserved.