Difference between FIBA Asia Cup, FIBA Asia Champions Cup, and FIBA Asia Championship

The FIBA Asia Cup, FIBA Asia Champions Cup, and FIBA Asia Championship are three of the biggest FIBA sanctioned events in Asia. But the difference between these three tournaments have constantly been disregarded. If you're a huge follower of Gilas Pilipinas, then it's important that you know what these tournaments symbolizes.

The FIBA Asia Cup which is formerly known as FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup is a tournament which takes place every 2 years. The winner of this tournament will automatically qualify for the next FIBA Asia Championship tournament. The non-winners will have to compete in their respective FIBA Asia sub zone tournaments (EABA, SEABA, SABA, WABA, GBA, CABA) to earn a spot in the FIBA Asia Championships.

The FIBA Asia Championship tournament, formerly known as ABC Championship, also takes place every 2 years. The top teams in this tournament will earn a spot in the FIBA World Cup and Olympic basketball tournament. In the 27th FIBA Asia Championship which was held in Manila last year, the Philippines, together with Iran and Korea earned their slots for this year's FIBA World Cup which will be held in Spain.

The FIBA Asia Champions Cup, unlike the FIBA Asia Cup and FIBA Asia Championships, is not a qualifier for any tournament. It is an annual event which is usually attended by champion basketball clubs in the Asian region.

2012 FIBA Asia Cup (2013 FIBA Asia Championship qualifier)
2013 FIBA Asia Championship (2014 FIBA World Cup qualifier)
2014 FIBA World Cup
2014 FIBA Asia Cup (2015 FIBA Asia Championship qualifier)
2015 FIBA Asia Championship (2016 Olympic basketball tournament qualifier)
2016 Olympic basketball tournament
2016 FIBA Asia Cup (2017 FIBA Asia Championship qualifier)
2017 FIBA Asia Championship (2018 FIBA World Cup qualifier)
2018 FIBA World Cup
And so on..