LAS VEGAS—Charies Mendez made a good impression in his debut while Christina Ferrer and Dico Ili produced a respectable performance in the mixed pairs event Monday in the FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Series at the Loews Lake Resort.

The Filipino aero gymnasts, however, failed anew to land in the finals of their events.

Tense and jittery, Mendez took some time to get into the groove and completed his routine with 15.0 points, which the national coaches said was not bad for a first-timer on the international arena.

Ferrer and Ili performed creditably against a tough field that included aero-gymnastic star Gregory Alcan of France and his sister Christelle and a host of formidable opponents from Italy, China, Brazil and Bulgaria.

Matching her impressive act in the individual women’s category, Ferrer combined with Ili for 13.95 points in the mixed pairs.

“We learned a lot from our stint here,” said Beren. “I’m pretty sure that next time, the Philippines will contend in the medal round.”

Like Mendez, Ferrer bowed out of contention in the individual women’s category after landing 12th overall with 16.05 points.

Alejandro Mendelebar, hampered by a pulled hamstring, also had an early exit in the individual male event with a 14.25-point score.

Ferrer consoled herself by beating United States bets Marlana Roach (16.0 points) and Jennifer Hogg (14.0).

Assistant coach Marion Ignacio said he got hold of snapshots of every detailed movement on each routine of the team members.

Ignacio said the photos, which have eight shots on each of the 11 frames, will point out the flaws of their players in a precise manner.

“We don’t have that kind of approach back home,” said Beren. “Now, we will invest on it.”

“We will have a skilled and fully developed team in the coming tournaments,” added Beren, who also served as team leader of the RP team bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission.