Friday, June 13, 2008 Davao kids' fine showing elates Vanta By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
ONE of the chess supporters in Davao City on Thursday said he was delighted with the fine showing of two young chess players currently seeing action in the 9th Asean Age-Group Chess Championships in Danang, Vietnam.
"I'm happy that the kids are playing well. They really have the talent and I believe they can excel in the sport. It's just a matter of giving them the needed support," said Engineer Enrico Vanta of the Chadric Builders and Construction Supply, an ardent backer of chess in Davao.
Vanta was referring to John Ray Batucan and Rowely Joy Acedo, two Davao players who are performing well in the international competition that started last June 9.
Batucan, who is studying at the Don Juan dela Cruz Elementary School, is currently sharing the lead in the boy's 12-under category after scoring 4.5 points in five rounds. He won four matches and drew once to tie Lu Chan Hung of Vietnam on top.
Acedo of Jose Maria College amassed 3.0 points in five rounds to share the seventh to 10th places in the girl's 12-under category.
"I have seen many good players in Davao and I know these two kids will go a long way. It was worth helping them," said Vanta, who supported Batucan and Acedo's trip to Vietnam.
"I admire these two kids right now. They're magnificent," Vanta added.
