The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks, 92-86, to further improve their standing in the Western conference. With superstar Chris Paul struggling to get his usual numbers, Blake Griffin and Caron Butler stepped up to fill the void by scoring 22 points and 20 points, respectively. Aside from Butler and Griffin, veteran point guard Chauncey Billups added 19 points in the win.

In the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, the Powerade Tigers hit big shots in the end game to get past the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 104-99, in overtime. With the win, the Tigers now take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal showdown. Main man Gary David torched the Elasto Painters the entire game by scoring 31 points, 20 of which came in the final 15 minutes. This is the fifth straight game that the 33-year-old shooting guard scored over 30 points.

In tennis, British tennis superstar Andy Murray is off to a hot start in 2012 by winning the Brisbane International after dominating Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, 6-1, 6-3 in the final match. The 24-year-old Scot is warming up for the upcoming Australian Open that will be held one week from now. Murray was all business right from the start as he finished the first set in just 26 minutes. Dolgopolov tried to come back in the second by making it 3-4, but Murray quickly doused the rally by winning the last two games. This is the 23-year-old Ukrainian's third straight loss against Murray.

NBA: Clippers 92, Bucks 86

Even if superstar point guard Chris Paul is struggling a bit, the Los Angeles Clippers have enough talent to beat a gritty, but undermanned Milwaukee Bucks squad. The Clippers hung on and defeated the Bucks 92-86, behind the 22-point and 14-rebound performance of sophomore phenom Blake Griffin. Caron Butler scored 20 points while Chauncey Billups added 19.

The Bucks had a slim two-point lead going into the second half, 40-38. In the third quarter, the Clippers took control by unleashing a 14-2 run. The Clippers held on to the lead going into the final period just in time for Paul to return.

The Bucks tried to mount one last comeback, but Paul drained a jumper with two minutes remaining to seal the deal for the Clippers.

For the Bucks, point guard Brandon Jennings led the charge with 21 points and seven assists while Drew Gooden had a quiet double-double by scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

In spite of their solid numbers, the Bucks were badly missing key players like Andrew Bogut, Luc Mbah a Moute, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Beno Udrih. All of them failed to suit up for the game because of various reasons.

The Bucks have already lost four straight games and are now in 11^th place in the East. The Clippers meanwhile have improved their record to secure the fourth spot in the West.

PBA Philippine Cup Semis: Powerade 104, Rain or Shine 99 (OT)

The Powerade Tigers came back from the jaws of defeat to win another thriller of a game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 104-99. The Tigers now take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series.

Gary David scored 31 points, with 20 of them coming in the last quarter and the overtime period, to rescue the Tigers once again. Fil-Am rookie Marcio Lassiter added 14 while Sean Anthony and Doug Kramer chipped in 12 points each.

Down by six points with just two minutes remaining in regulation, Gary David nailed a huge three-pointer to cut the lead down to three. After that, forward Jervy Cruz split his free throws and Anthony scored an easy bucket to cut the lead down to two.

The Elasto Painters had a chance to finish the game in regulation, but Jeff Chan made only one free throw, making it a one-possession ballgame at 97-94. With just 14 seconds remaining, David was fouled by rookie Paul Lee while trying to shoot a three-ball. The 33-year old David made all free throws to tie the game at 97-all. The Elasto Painters had one more chance to win the game, but big man Beau Belga missed a jumper at the buzzer.

In the overtime period, Gabe Norwood scored the first basket, but the Elasto Painters made a series of blunders that the Tigers capitalized on. David scored the last seven points of the Tigers to seal the win.

For the Elast Painters, Lee led the team with 19 points while Chan and Cruz added 17 points each.

Tennis: Murray defeats Dolgopolov, wins Brisbane International tournament

World number four Andy Murray won the 2012 Brisbane International tournament after defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine, 6-1, 6-3.

Murray is somewhat treating this tournament as a rehearsal to the upcoming Australian Open that will be held on January 17. The pressure is high on Murray to win the title because no Brit has won a men’s singles majors title in the last 76 years.

If his performance against Dolgopolov is any indication, the 24-year-old Murray looked ready and downright scary. The fourth-ranked played in the world needed only 65 minutes to finish off the 23-year-old Ukrainian.

Murray finished the first set in just 26 minutes, yielding only one game to Dolgopolov. The Ukrainian tried to mount a rally in the second set by cutting Murray’s lead down to one game, but the Scot would have none of it, and won the final two games.

Dolgopolov was looking for his second ATP title, but a groin injury that he sustained before the final match has already scratched the possibility of winning over Murray.

“Blake Griffin” by Keith Allison c/o Flickr. Some rights reserved.