The Philippine Online Chronicles

In the NBA western conference finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder stole one game on the road to even the series against the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder relied on the gutsy play of their reserves to beat the Mavericks, 106-100.

In the NHL playoffs, the Boston Bruins established a 2-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 3 in the Eastern conference finals. The Bruins’ Tim Thomas made 31 saves to stop the Lightning from making any goals.

Michael Bisping of the UFC admits that he’s disappointed over the decision to suspend the license of middleweight contender Chael Sonnen by the California State Athletic Commission. Bisping, who was supposed to fight Sonnen and appear in the Ultimate Fighter Reality Show, aired his sympathy for the embattled American mixed martial artist via Twitter.

NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma 106, Dallas 100 (Series tied 1-1)

Coach Scott Brooks of the Oklahoma City Thunder made one of the biggest risks of his coaching career by fielding a lineup he’s never used before.

With the game still up for grabs in the final quarter, Brooks used a lineup that featured James Harden, Eric Maynor, Nick Collison, Daequan Cook, and Kevin Durant. Fortunately, his risk paid off resulting to a 106-100, victory for the Thunder against the Dallas Mavericks

The series is now headed to Oklahoma where games three and four will be played.

Before the start of the fourth quarter, the Thunder were holding on to a precarious one-point lead. With Maynor directing the offense, the crew of backups didn’t only protect the lead, but stretched it to 10 points after a 14-5 spurt.

This is the first win by the Thunder franchise in the West finals in 15 years while this was the Mavericks’ first loss in seven games in this year’s playoffs.

The Thunder’s bench was so dominant that Harden scored 23 points, making four of his five shots in the payoff period. Durant as usual, led the team with 24 while Westbrook chipped in 18 and Maynor tallied 13.

For the Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, who scored 48 in Game 1, finished with 29 points. Despite the dip in scoring, he still went 10-for-17 from the field.

The Thunder adjusted their defense on the seven-foot German by sending players before and after every possession without committing too many fouls.

NHL Playoffs: Boston 2, Tampa Bay 0 (Boston leads series 2-1)

In the playoffs, it’s all about how defense is being played that will dictate who the winner will be. Earlier today, the Boston Bruins showed what defense can do as they shut down the Tampa Bay Lightning to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern conference finals.

Tim Thomas made 31 saves and completed his first shutout of the season while Andrew Ference and David Krejci both scored goals to help the Bruins win against the Lightning, 2-1.

In the first two games, the Lightning scored a total of five goals, but this time around, Thomas made sure that no puck will pass through him.

Both the Bruins and Lightning feature two of the strongest goalies in the postseason. The Lightning’s Dwayne Roloson defended well all game long finishing with 23 saves. However, there was no question that Thomas was better than him today.

Krejci started the scoring for the Bruins when he made a goal with less than two minutes left in the first quarter. Almost two quarters later, Ference made it 2-0 by hitting a tough goal that went in between Roloson’s legs.

Game 4 will be played again in Tampa where the Lightning hope to come back to tie the series.

UFC: Bisping reacts with Sonnen’s suspension

Right after UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission, Michael Bisping of the United Kingdom, immediately made his opinion heard over Twitter.

Bisping said that he was “gutted” with what happened to Sonnen. He also added that Sonnen has already paid his dues and because of that, he should be allowed to continue his career in mixed martial arts.

Last May 19, Sonnen showed up for the CSAC to answer allegations of money laundering and use of performance-enhancing drugs. After almost three hours of deliberation, the CSAC voted 4-1 to suspend his license.

What makes it tough for Sonnen is that he won’t be able to apply for license renewal until June of next year. By that time, he’s already 35 years old and by that age, it might be too late for him to come back and contend for a title.

Sonnen’s suspension means that he won’t be able to fight in California and since other state commissions uphold the rulings of their counterparts, there’s a good chance that he won’t be able to fight anymore this year.

Sonnen almost defeated long-time middleweight champion Anderson Silva of Brazil last year, until Silva’s late submission attempt in the 5^th round Silva ended the bout.