If MARFU contained two LAUs, had a 4-team playoff format, and had 2 teams advancing to the national championship, the steps for determine playoffs would be as follows.
Step 1:
Place A1 and B1 into opposite pools
Pool 1 - A1 Pool 2 - B1
Step 2:
Place LAU #2 teams into pools opposite their #1 team
Pool 1 - A1, B2 Pool 2 - B1, A2
However, with 3 LAUs, an 8-team playoff format, and multiple teams advancing, it becomes necessary to expand this format.
Step 3:
Place LAU #3 teams into pools with their #2 team
Pool 1 - A1, B2, B3 Pool 2 - B1, A2, A3
Step 4:
Create two scenarios, one with C1 in Pool 1, the other with C1 in Pool 2
Scenario 1 Pool 1 - A1, C1, B2, B3 Pool 2 - B1, A2, A3
Scenario 2 Pool 1 - A1, B2, B3 Pool 2 - B1, C1, A2, A3
Step 5:
Place C2 team into pool opposite their C1 team
Scenario 1 Pool 1 - A1, C1, B2, B3 Pool 2 - B1, A2, C2, A3 yields:
Pool 1 - A1 hosts B3, C1 hosts B2 Pool 2 - B1 hosts A3, A2 hosts C2
Scenario 2 Pool 1 - A1, B2, C2, B3 Pool 2 - B1, C1, A2, A3 yields:
Pool 1 - A1 hosts B3, B2 hosts C2 Pool 2 - B1 hosts A3, C1 hosts A2
Step 6:
Based upon strengths of the teams, determine which Scenario provides the best balance.
Scenario 1 tends to work well for LAUs that continue to place 2 teams in the top 3 positions.
Scenario 2 tends to work well for situations in which one LAU has not been dominating.