The Smart-Gilas national team faces a tall order after being drawn with defending champion Iran in the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup on May 22-30 in Doha, Qatar.

Aside from the Iranians, other teams in Group A are Kazakhstan, Iraq and host Qatar. In Group B are Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

The national team hopes to improve on its fifth place finish in the same tournament two years ago in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Teams are allowed to have reinforcement in the Champions Cup. Gilas is still searching for an import.