MANILA, Philippines - The PBA board of governors has passed a resolution, barring Japeth Aguilar from playing for Smart Gilas in its guest stint in the coming PBA Philippine Cup.

Board chairman Lito Alvarez raised the motion although he remained optimistic Aguilar would be prevailed upon to honor his commitment with Burger King which made him No. 1 overall in the recent PBA Rookie Draft.

“Our next board meeting will be after Philippine Cup has opened, so I raised it in our meeting last week. It was approved unanimously. He can’t play for Smart Gilas in our tournament,” said Alvarez.

 Aguilar left yesterday with the Smart Gilas team for Singapore to play the Singapore Slingers in a series of exhibition games.

“I know he’s working out with Smart Gilas to stay in shape. There’s no problem there because we haven’t come to terms. But I think he’s taking a risk playing without a contract,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez also said he hoped the Aguilar controversy would be resolved soon, banking on the assurance of Smart/PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, adding he’s meeting the Smart Gilas officials in the next few days.

“MVP has said they will help and that they will not sign Aguilar until he has resolved his problem with Burger King. I have high respect for these people. I know them to be very transparent,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez, Pangilinan and another top Smart/PLDT official Ricky Vargas are partners at Burger King. They also sit in the SBP board.

Should Aguilar opt to abandon BK for good, the 6-foot-9 player may face severe sanction in the PBA.