San Antonio Spurs Beat LA Clippers 102-99 to enter West Finals

Compared to the first three games, this was closed in the final period. San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan scored 21 points while Tony Parker added 17 and the San Antonio Spurs beat Los Angeles Clippers 102-99 sweeping LA Clippers 4-0. The Spurs now advance to the Western Conference finals, and will wait for the winner between the Oklahoma Thunders and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs now extend their winning streak to 18 games and their playoff record to 8-0, tying the third best postseason streak in franchise history.

The San Antonio Spurs trailed most of the final quarter but was able to tie the score twice in the final 3:32 before the big three of Duncan, Ginobili and Parker took over.

With 10.5 seconds left in the game, the Clippers still have a chance to tie the game in the final quarter and maybe send it to overtime but Los Angeles Clippers star point guard Chris Paul missed a shot, that spelled their doom. 

The Clippers were led by Chris Paul with 23 points, while Blake Griffin added 21 point. 

San Antonio Spurs beat Los Angeles Clippers 96-86 to take 3-0 series lead

Tim Duncan scored 19 points for the San Antonio Spurs, helping to engineer a 24-0 run in the third quarter after the San Antonio Spurs trailed by 24 points, and the Spurs defeated the Clippers 96-86 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their second round NBA playoff series.

Tony Parker added 23 points, while Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard had 14 points to help the San Antonio Spurs with their 17th in a row and improve to 7-0 in the playoffs.

The Los Angeles Clippers were led by Blake Griffin with 28 points, while back up guard Mo Williams added 19 points for the Clippers, who face some daunting task as no team in the history of the NBA has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

The Clippers were on fire on the first quarter which saw them leading 22 points 33-11 on the first quarter, but the Spurs cut that lead by the end of the first half to 10 53-43.

Then came the second half, after a quiet first half Tim Duncan helped the Spurs control the third quarter when they outscored the Clippers 26-8. The Spurs took their first lead during a 23-0 run on a fadeaway jumper by Tim Duncan, who scored nine points in the outburst that put them ahead for good, at the end of the third the Spurs are ahead 69-61. The Clippers never got back then.

Game 4 will still be played in Los Angeles. 

Petron Blaze Boosters Defeated Powerade Tigers 97-83

The defending champions Petron Blaze Boosters opens its title defense with an impressive win over the Powerade Tigers 97-83 on the 2012 Governors Cup. Petron Blaze Booster's import Eddie Basden led the way with 28 points on a 12 of 22 shooting from the field plus 10 rebounds. Although Basden is noted to be a defensive specialist, he made crucial baskets in the fourth to lift the Boosters against the Powerade Tigers. 

Alex Cabagnot and Arwind Santos contributed 17 and 16 points respectively for Petron cause. New recruit Marcio Lassiter was in the side lines as he is still nursing a fractured hand.

I was hoping to see what Lassiter and Al-Hussaini can contribute to their new teams since this two were the major reasons in the big trade this team has gone through, but sad to say Marcio is still injured, while Rabeh was able to play, but was a non factor as he was ejected early in the game after incurring a flagrant foul penalty two on Dorian Pena.

Powerade Tigers was led by their import Rashad McCants with 27 points while Powerade Tigers prolific scorer Gary David had 26 points. 

Powerade Tigers next opponent is Barako Bull Energy on May 25, 2012, while Petron Blaze Boosters takes on Meralco Bolts on May 26, 2012.