Games Friday (Ghazir Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon)
3 p.m. — Japan vs Jordan
5 p.m. — Iran-B vs Smart-Gilas
7 p.m. — Chinese Taipei vs Qatar
9 p.m. — Kazakhstan vs Lebanon

Given little chance to advance to the next round because of its undermanned roster, Smart-Gilas Pilipinas plays Iran in the crossover quarterfinals of the 2010 FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup Friday at the Ghazir Stadium in Beirut, Lebanon.

The national team finished third in Group A with an even 2-2 win-loss card, winning against Syria (81-67) and scored a stunning victory over defending champion and World Championship- bound Jordan (75-71).

Smart-Gilas lost to Lebanon (74-59) and Qatar (66-61) in the eliminations, but the Nationals’ Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman feels they have a strong chance of making it to the semifinals.

“It will be a difficult game,” said Toroman, who missed the services of 6-foot-11 American Marcus Douthit, a candidate for naturalization, 7-footer Greg Slaughter, 6-foot-8 Rabeh Al-Hussaini and 6-foot-3 Fil-Am Chris Lutz.

“But I think we have a chance to go to the semifinals,” he added.

Smart-Gilas will face Iran’s team B, which finish the elims with a 2-2 record.

Five players, including 6-foot-9 Asghar Kardoust, suited up for Iran’s A team in the William R. Jones Cup last month in Taipei, and Toroman knows they are up against a dangerous team.