I read this rule as well, and was very happy to see this bracket arrangement. Not only does it give alliances more time, it also sets in stone what order the regionals will/should run the matches in. Too many times you get the alliance pairings, but have no idea if you're the first match-up, or the last.
They also brought back the "up-and-down" alliance selection process. I think I still like it.
BEN