The Philippine Online Chronicles

Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the fourth straight time, but the Los Angeles Clippers were still able to beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 102-94, in the battle of two best teams in the state of California.

In the PBA, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters forced a winner-take-all Game 7 on Wednesday after defeating the Petron Blaze Boosters, 111-108, in Game 6 of the 2012 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

In UFC action, Jose Aldo knocked out Chad Mendes with a huge knee to the head in the first round to retain his UFC featherweight title in the main event of UFC 142 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

NBA News: Clippers 102, Lakers 94

In the battle of two of the best teams in California, the up-and-coming Los Angeles Clippers came through with a convincing 102-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Point guard Chris Paul played another big game by scoring 33 points while sophomore power forward Blake Griffin added 22 points and 14 rebounds. Aside from the two, Chauncey Billups added 19 points, Caron Butler 13, while center DeAndre Jordan had 10 rebounds.

Paul dominated the game by shredding the Lakers’ pick-and-roll defense while making the right decisions by either hitting an open man or taking a jumper. The Clippers controlled the game all throughout while outrebounding one of the best rebounding teams in the league, 50-42.

Bryant, the league’s leading scorer, scored his fourth straight 40-point game by unloading 42 points on top of seven rebounds and four assists. The five-time NBA champion dropped 21 points in the third quarter, but he was only able to manage 10 points in the final period.

The Clippers simply outplayed their co-tenants with better team play and defense in the fourth quarter, resulting in another win against an elite team.

Behind Bryant’s scorching-hot third quarter explosion, the Lakers were able to cut the lead down to four going into the fourth quarter. However, Paul and Billups hit big jumpers to erect a 10-point lead while the Clippers’ defense held up in the final minutes to close out the game.

With the win, the Clippers improved their record to 6-3 while the Lakers fell to 9-5.

PBA Philippine Cup Semis: Talk ‘N Text 111, Petron 108

There will be a Game 7 in the super exciting semifinals series between the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters and Petron Blaze Boosters. The Tropang Texters forced a Game 7 after defeating the Blaze Boosters, 111-108, in Game 6 of the 2012 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series.

Reigning MVP Jimmy Alapag almost came up with triple-double performance as he finished with 29 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. Aside from Alapag, versatile big man Ranidel De Ocampo played his best game in the series by notching 23 points while sharpshooter Larry Fonacier added 15.

The Tropang Texters looked like they were going to get an easy win in Game 6 after establishing a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter. However, Arwind Santos and Alex Caganot made crucial plays in the next few minutes to put the Blaze Boosters on top, 99-97.

The Blaze Boosters were threatening to take the game away with a few minutes left in the final period, but Fonacier hit a clutch three-pointer with 69 seconds left to give the Tropang Texters a 106-102 lead.

The Blazer Boosters tried to catch up after a jumper by two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso, but Alapag closed it out by nailing two clutch free throws in the end.

UFC 142: Aldo KOs Mendes, retains UFC featherweight title

Jose Aldo hasn’t fought in Brazil for more than five years and he made sure that he’s not going to let down thousands of screaming Brazilian fans. The 25-year old Brazilian proved to everyone that he’s still a force in the featherweight division by knocking out Chad Mendes of the United States in the first round to retain his UFC featherweight title.

Aldo unloaded a huge knee that squarely hit Mendes’s temple, causing the American to fall flat on his back in an instant. The defending champion didn’t waste any time as he immediately pounded the winded Mendes before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Aldo has won 14 consecutive fights and he has already defended the UFC featherweight title belt three times.

Mendes was looking to take down Aldo right after the opening bell, but the Brazilian displayed his otherworldly takedown defense that prevented Mendes from taking advantage. After several failed attempts, Mendes was able to pin Aldo down against the cage for a minute. However, the Brazilian champion was able to get out and nail the American with a devastating knee to the head that ended the fight.