For me, the most interesting news coming out of the rookie draft camp are the player measurements. Some guys turn out to be taller than their list height, such as former De La Salle forward Mark Benitez who was actually measured to be a shade taller than James Sena (according to this Quinito Henson article), while others turn out to be smaller, like Edwin Asoro who topped out at 6' 1-1/2", about the same size as James Yap.

Anyhoo, draft day is upon us, and here’s Fire Quinito’s final mock draft before this afternoon’s festivities.

First round

1. Burger King (acquired from Barako Bull): Japeth Aguilar - Quote of the week from Burger King assistant coach Junel Baculi: “The Lina franchise wants to win a championship, for the record.” But apparently not as much as they want to turn a profit in selling their best players. I stand by my prediction that they'll sell Japeth Aguilar after a year.

The second overall pick, originally belonging to Coca-Cola, is forfeited after it was traded to the now-disbanded Shell franchise.


2. Purefoods: Rico Maierhofer - Ryan "The Genius" Gregorio already declared that he has the hots for Maierhoffer, even though PBL MVP Chris Ross is perfect for this Purefoods team. He’s apparently realized that the team already has about 15 guys at Maierhofer’s spot, so what does he do? He’s pushing hard to trade Enrico Villanueva for a guard such as Willie Miller. I wish Gregorio would just step down, but chances are, when his contract expires, he’ll push for charter change for the Purefoods coaching staff to switch to a parliamentary system so he can be elected prime minister. Wait, what are we talking about again?


3. Burger King: Chris Ross - I mentioned the past couple of days that BK might draft Ross to sell him elsewhere, and it looks like they have a deal in place with Coca-Cola if Purefoods takes Maierhofer.


4. Rain or Shine: Jervy Cruz - At the very least, he is a huge upgrade over Mark Isip, who played heavy minutes last season.


5. Alaska: Ogie Menor - Yet another talented, high-flying youngster for Tim Cone to bench. If I were Coke, I’d push hard to acquire this pick if the Ross deal falls through.


6. Barako Bull (acquired from Sta. Lucia): James Sena - Barako Bull assistant Ariel Vanguardia coaches Sena in college right now.


7. Ginebra: Chris Timberlake - Continuing Jong Uichico's tradition/fetish of drafting guards who probably won't make it into his rotation in the first round. Jayjay Helterbrand and possibly Mark Caguioa will be back next season, but Paul Artadi, Chico Lanete, and Chris Pacana are all free agents.


8. Burger King (acquired from Talk N Text): Ronnie Matias - I could imagine this pick being traded to Red Bull in exchange for Larry Rodriguez, which is odd, because I noted that Matias is gonna be this year's Larry Rodriguez.


9. San Miguel: Orlando Daroya - So what need does Daroya fill for SMB? The need of Wesley Gonzales to have someone to talk to at the end of that deep, deep bench. It's a reach, but apparently Daroya is moving up the charts.

Second round

10. Barako Bull: Bryan Faundo - Apart from the best big man available, Vanguardia also coached him in the PBL.


11. Sta. Lucia (acquired from Coca-Cola): Ian Saladaga - Outside shooting and backcourt size are huge needs for Sta. Lucia.


12. Barako Bull (acquired from Purefoods): Josh Urbiztondo - Best point guard left for a team that needs help at every position.


13. Burger King: Marcy Arellano - BK loves drafting UAAP stars. Question is, will Marcy make the team?


14. Rain or Shine: Mark Benitez - He's much, much better than PJ Walsham, and apparently about the same size.


15. Alaska: Francis Allera - Yet another talented shooter from UST for Tim Cone to bench.


16. Sta. Lucia: Michael Burtscher - His stock seems to be looking up after coaches read this press release from his agent in the Philippine Star. If and when Rafe Bartholomew gets a tan and comes back to Manila to be a Fil-Sham, I’m going to write all the press releases for him


17. Ginebra: PJ Walsham - Just so Ginebra has another fat dude from La Salle if Junjun Cabatu doesn't come back.


18. Talk N Text: Kevin White - He's Jimmy Alapag's nephew.


19. Burger King: Edwin Asoro - An athletic guy who's never shown that he can put it all together.