Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio speaks at a media conference in Mandaluyong City on August 25, 2022, on occasion of the one year countdown for the FIBA World Cup 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- Al Panlilio is putting a premium on a sustainable sports program as he seeks a second term as first vice-president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), under the ticket of reelectionist president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.

"I believe in his leadership," said Panlilio of Tolentino. "And I will talk to him on how to sustain our programs or surpass it for the athletes and Philippines sports."

"Our sports are progressing after Hidilyn Diaz won gold in the Tokyo Olympics, and now we won two golds courtesy of Carlos Yulo in Paris," said Panlilio, also president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

"We have to surpass previous achievements and provide sustainable platforms for our athletes."

The POC elections are set on November 29 at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Paranaque City and Tolentino, Panlilio along with second vice president Richard Gomez are seeking another four-year term to lead the country’s top sports organization.

READ: Tolentino eyes another term as POC chief, unveils slate

Tolentino called his ticket the "POC Working Team" that includes surfing’s Dr. Jose Raul Canlas as treasurer and volleyball’s Donaldo "Don" Caringal as auditor and Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Leonora "Lenlen" Escollante (canoe, kayak and dragon boat), Alexander "Ali" Sulit (judo), Ferdinand "Ferdie" Agustin (jiu-jitsu) and Leah Jalandoni Gonzales (fencing) as members of the Executive Board.

Panlilio is also calling for unity among the national sports associations, adding that sports leaders "join forces to create a healthy environment for the athletes and support their training under one POC."

"We just have to duplicate or surpass what we achieve in Paris at the 2024 Los Angeles Olympic Games," Panlilio said. "I believe we can make it or improve our recent finish with an effective united working group."

The Philippines have won three gold medals in the past two Olympic cycles, with weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz delivering the breakthrough gold in Tokyo in 2021 before gymnast Carlos Yulo made more history with two golds in the recent Paris Summer Games.

Filipino athletes also emerged as overall champions in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games that was hosted by the country, then brought home four gold medals from the pandemic-delayed 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year -- including a long-awaited basketball gold courtesy of Gilas Pilipinas.