The Pasay Voyagers are diverting from the familiar route traveled by teams competing in the Manny Pacquiao Presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season starting on 8 March.

Based on the current rosters, the major contenders have gotten taller and bigger. In contrast, the Voyagers, already hampered by the lack of centers last year, have gotten even smaller.

Small ball and run-and-gun will likely be the norm for coach Marlon Keith Martin in the league’s seventh season.

While Warren Bonifacio can hold the fort, the 6-foot-5 former Mapua Cardinal needs help against taller counterparts at the slot if the Voyagers are to surpass their 18-win, 10-loss record in the previous season.

Pasay has sufficient firepower with Laurenz Victoria, the 2024 Most Improved Player, to be supported by Felipe Marasigan, Carl Brian Lacap, Toby Agustin, veteran Dan Sara, and hard worker Dhon Reverente.

The 5-foot-9 Sara will orchestrate the plays with speedsters Rey Barcuma, Felipe Chavez and Cyrus Tabi, who are 5-foot-6, 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-8, respectively, the league’s smallest backcourt.

Other Voyagers expected to add fuel for their projected return to the MPBL playoffs are Damian Lasco, Jasper Salonga, Brian Hilario, AJ Coronel, Jordan Rios, Elvin Chan, Daniel Jay Aguirre, Noah Lugo and homegrown Floren Fernandez.

With three vacant slots left, Pasay fans who always troop to the Cuneta Astrodome hope the Voyagers can find legit big men and continue their winning tradition at home.

Otherwise, they will have to work extra hard to compensate for their lack of ceiling.