Riviera bags fourth Fed League crown

MANILA, Philippines - Riviera outclassed Valley at its home course for a 6.5-3.5 victory to capture the Federation Golf League men’s championship for the fourth time recently.

Playing true to form, the Silang-based Riviera squad scored a 2.5-2.5 win on the road then used its most reliable pairs in dominating its rivals, 4-1, at home.

Riviera thus upped its league-leading collection to four championships after winning the first two editions of the meet and taking a third in 2008.

Eric Virata and Wang Heung Jun set the tone for the home rout with a 6 and 5 romp in the scramble part of the title duel played in five different formats.

Although Valley managed to get a point in aggregate, Riviera took the remaining three and coasted to victory. Vince Infante-Yeom Seo Hyen won in greensomes, 2 up; Brixton Aw-Jon Judan prevailed in four-ball, 2 and 1, and Bok Labastilla-Gerald Katigbak claimed the high-low point, 2 up.

Despite the loss, Valley wound up with its best showing so far in league history.

In the semifinals, Riviera blasted eliminations topnotch Forest Hills after edging Royal Northwoods in the quarterfinals. Valley nipped Eastridge in a playoff in the semis after beating Orchard in the quarters.