The MVA has named its pre-season tournaments after its former President John Bugeja.

Bugeja was instrumental in setting up the association in the 70’s and served various stints as President thoughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. It was under his guidance that the MVA became affiliated to the CEV and FIVB and he worked tirelessly to give both male and female participants the opportunity to participate at international levels.

Ten teams were divided in two groups in the Women’s John Bugeja Cup, with Depiro Flyers, Toyota PlayVolley, Flyers 2, TGIF and Qormi in Group A, and Paola Hibs Candy, Fleur De Flys, Mellieha Tritones, Paola Juniors and B’Kara Play Volley in Group B.

Depiro Flyers won Group A convincingly, dropping only two sets to Qormi and Toyota Play Volley, while Paola Hibs Candy cruised through Group B losing only one set to Fleur de Lys. In the semi-finals, Depiro beat Fleur de Lys 3-1 and Paola Hibs Candy beat Toyota PlayVolley 3-0 to set up another Depiro-Paola classic match.

Fleur de Lys beat Toyota Play Volley in the tie-break after both teams had won two sets each to take third place. In the awaited final, Paola Hibs Candy again lifted the silverware when they beat their major opponents 3-1 in a close encounter.

The Men’s Cup was a different affair.

The three contenders, Valletta San Antonio, Fleur de Lys and Aloysians Defenders could all have taken the honours when each team won one game.

Valletta beat Fleur de Lys 3-0 while the latter then beat Aloysians Defenders by three sets to two. Aloysians, however, then managed to get the better of Valletta to give the current champions an unexpected loss by three sets to one. Valletta were eventually awarded the Cup due to their better ratio of sets.