The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship will kick off on Tuesday and it is now the Asian teams' turn to start their journey to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship serves as the qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics for Asian countries, but only one team, the champion, will get an automatic ticket to the Summer Games next year. The three other teams who will make it to the semifinals will earn a spot in the 2016 Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Defending champions Iran will begin their title defense on Wednesday. The Asian powerhouse, who will be led by reigning FIBA Asia Most Valuable Player Hamed Haddadi, will go up against Japan in their Group A match in Changsha.

According to the tournament's official website, Iran were impressive during their preparation for the tournament after winning the 2015 William Jones Cup in Taiwan and also performing well during the Atlas 8-Nations Tournament in China, where they finish second to China.

China, the host country this year, are expected to give the defending champions a run for their money. The Chinese squad will begin their campaign against lowly Singapore.

Yi Jianlian, a former NBA player like Iran's Haddadi, will try to help China reclaim the throne they once held. Backing him up are fellow 7-footers Wang Zhelin, Li Muhao and Zhou Qi, the tournament's website noted.

Meanwhile, Philippines will also start their chase for an Olympic spot on Tuesday night. The national squad, known as Gilas Pilipinas, will face Palestine in the second game of Day 1 of competition.

Philippines, who finished second to Iran during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship, will be led by naturalized player and former NBA player Andray Blatche. Blatche impressed for Philippines during the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, where he averaged 21.2 points and 13.8 rebounds.

Korea will also kick off their campaign. They will collide with Jordan on Wednesday morning. The Koreans are also considered a strong title favorite this year, but their preparation was marred by the game-fixing scandal back home.

Below is the complete 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Day 1 schedule.

  • Kuwait vs. Hong Kong, Tuesday 9 p.m. ET
  • Philippines vs. Kuwait, Tuesday 11:45 p.m. ET
  • Iran vs. Japan, Wednesday 2:30 a.m. ET
  • Korea vs. Jordan, Wednesday 4:45 a.m. ET
  • Malaysia vs. India, Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. ET
  • Singapore vs. China, Wednesday 7:30 a.m. ET
  • Chinese Taipei vs. Lebanon, Wednesday 9:30 a.m. ET
  • Qatar vs. Kazakhstan, Wednesday 9:30 a.m. ET

Fans can catch the Asian Olympic Qualifying matches through online live stream via Live Basketball TV.