The 2025 NBA Playoffs may be underway, but the Toronto Raptors are not among the contenders. With a 30-52 record and a season that focused on rebuilding/retooling, they find themselves on the outside looking in. However, they remain optimistic, maintaining a sense of collective positivity as they focus on their efforts to make a push back into postseason territory next season.
This leaves the Raptors players with plenty of free time on their hands. If you happen to follow franchise star Scottie Barnes on social media, you’re likely aware that he’s been on vacation in Southeast Asia, with a reported stop in Thailand.
Thanks to a recent update on Instagram, it seems the 23-year-old star has now made his way to the Philippines, accompanied by Raptors rookie and childhood friend Jonathan Mogbo.
Raptors duo Scottie Barnes and Jonathan Mogbo visit the Philippines
In a post by @neonmaninaction on Instagram, a clip was revealed showing Barnes putting in work on a practice court in Manila, with Mogbo (dressed in black) visible in the background.
No official reason has been given for why Barnes and Mogbo are in the Philippines, nor has there been any confirmation of the rumor about them touring Southeast Asia. The general belief, however, is that they are on vacation and engaged in non-NBA or Raptors-related commitments.
As someone of Filipino heritage, I can confidently say that the Philippines is a basketball hub in every sense; the people there truly live and breathe the sport. If Filipinos aren't cheering on their favorite boxers, you can bet they're glued to their seats, watching a thrilling game of basketball.
When it comes to the biggest hoop stars, they consistently show their utmost praise and respect. Just look at Sabrina Ionescu's recent Nike-sponsored trip—the crowd turned out in full force. A few years ago, during the 2023 FIBA World Cup festivities, the Philippines served as one of the host nations. I had the pleasure of witnessing the tournament live, and the energy and passion for basketball were simply unreal.
I'm not sure if Barnes has anything planned in that regard, but I hope he and Mogbo get the chance to experience just how deeply basketball is woven into Filipino culture. Similarly, I hope that Barnes receives the recognition he deserves as a noteworthy NBA star, especially since a lot of the spotlight in the Philippines tends to focus on star-studded California teams like Golden State and Los Angeles.
But then again, these guys battled hard to reach the finish line. I think Barnes and Mogbo deserve a little treat: a chance to sit back, relax, maybe get a few shots up at the lab, and ultimately soak in the beauty of their island destination.