Panlilio wants sustainability, harmony at POC

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SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio is prioritizing a sustainable program and a united and harmonious Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as he seeks another term as POC first vice president under the ticket of re-electionist president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

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

“Our sports program is progressing after Hidilyn Diaz won the gold in the Tokyo Olympics, and now we won two golds courtesy of Carlos Yulo in Paris,” said Panlilio.“We must surpass previous achievements and provide sustainable platforms for our athletes.”

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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.

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.

Under Tolentino’s watch as POC president, the Philippines emerged as overall champion in the 2019 30th Southeast Asian Games, regained the Asian Games men’s basketball gold medal in Hangzhou last year, and saw pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena rise to world No. 2, among others.

Panlilio also called for unity among national sports associations (NSAs), 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 achieved 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.”

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