BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Some of the participating national teams saw a reminder of what they are fighting for during the opening salvo of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.

The Asia Cup trophy made a couple of appearances in the recently-concluded Window 1, giving not just the players and coaches but their fans as well the opportunity to see up close and personal the coveted hardware, which symbolizes basketball supremacy in the continent.

The first stop was in Damascus when Syria hosted Lebanon before a big crowd at the Al Fayhaa Stadium. The Cedars won, 87-78, but not before overcoming a gallant stand by the home team, which was undeniably given an added boost by nearly 8,500 loyal fans in attendance.

The trophy then made its way to Zouk Mikael when the Lebanese hosted Bahrain at the Stade Nouhad Nawfal. They won, 94-63, to finish the window as the lone unbeaten team in Group F.

It is also worth noting that it was the trophy's first appearance in the venue that played host to the 2017 Asia Cup, which Australia won in sweeping fashion.

The Cedars were seemingly given an extra motivation in seeing the prize twice, especially after getting so close to lifting the Asia Cup in 2022 in Indonesia.

The Asia Cup trophy will also be making subsequent appearances in two games each in Window 2 from November 21–25 and Window 3 from February 20–23, 2025.

The Continental Qualifiers will be played from February 2024 to February 2025, with 24 national teams competing for spots at the Asia Cup proper.

FIBA