Friday, June 15, 2007 Oro chesser Dalauta accepts RTU's offer By Lynde Salgados
BARRING unforeseen glitches, former Corpus Christi standout Randolph Dalauta will pack his bag on Saturday to join Oro compatriot Jongjong Salcedo's trip back to Manila.
The 16-year-old Dalauta told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Thursday he's already made up his mind to reinforce the RTU-Mandaluyong's senior varsity chess team after finishing his secondary years at Corpus Christi school here.
"Undecided ko sa una nga mag-Manila sa lain nga school. Pero karon nga nisugot si Papa (Choy Dalauta) nga mag-uban mi ni Jongjong sa RTU determinado na ko nga manimpalad," said Dalauta, who once represented the country in the Asian Age-Group 14-under boys chess championship in Singapore.
Dalauta is going to be the fourth Mindanaon to land at RTU's varsity chess team after Renan Cantilado of Cagayan de Oro, Salcedo (Salay, Misamis Oriental) and Paulo James Florendo of Zamboanga City.
La Salle University, a multi-titled team in the UAAP, also relied on Mindanao talents such as Oliver Dimakiling III (now a Candidate Grandmaster) and the Aton brothers during its past conquests in the prestigious University Athletic Association of the Philippines Meet.
"Actually, kompleto na ang RTU pero basta Cagayan de Oro player ang i-recommend ila gyod dayong apason kay dili sila makabalibad," said Jongjong's father, Totong Salcedo who negotiated the Dalautas in behalf of RTU coach, National Master Mauro Yasay.
