Fed League KO duels under way

MANILA, Philippines - Four-time champion Riviera battles Alabang and Eastridge takes on Canlubang in this weekend’s home-and-away quarterfinals marking the start of the knockout stages of the Men’s Federation League.

No. 3 seed Riviera hosts No. 6 Alabang today then visits their opponent’s course tomorrow while fourth seed Eastridge chose to let fifth seed Canlubang host today’s match before hosting their foes the next day.

The four quarterfinalists are eyeing a crack at the two outright semifinalists, Valley and Orchard. Valley, the elims topnotcher, meets the winner of Eastridge-Canlubang tiff while No. 2 Orchard battles the victor of Riviera-Alabang duel on Sept. 21-22.

Valley repeated over Forest Hills, 4-1, recently to clinch the top seeding and the automatic semis berth. Valley finished with a 7-0-1 win-loss-draw record in Group 2 for a league-best 22 points, emerging as the only undefeated team in the league in the eliminations.

Orchard had earlier clinched the other semis berth by topping Group 3 with a 6-1-1 slate for 21 points.

Alabang figured in a draw with Tagaytay Highlands in its final match to salvage the sixth and final slot in the playoff rounds. With 14 points, Alabang finished one point ahead of Eagle Ridge, which completed a sweep of Mimosa to finish third in Group 3 in its league debut.