LAS VEGAS -- AFTER WATCHING THE ROUTINES of entries from the top countries, national head coach Jay Beren said Filipinos face tremendous odds in the FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Series at the Loews Lake Resort here.

“To be honest, we will have a difficult time against the top-ranked countries in all the events that we will participate in,” said Beren. “But if there’s one country we could beat, I guess the US is one of them.”

Beren explained that European countries have made the discipline a sport some 19 years ago while South America and East Asian countries China, Japan and Korea have been in the aero-gymnastic map for quite some time.

“We really don’t know how these countries (European and South American) compete. Actual competitions are different from reading the internet and watching them perform,” said Beren.

Charies Mendez and Ajjie Mendelebar will compete against world champion AO Jinping of China and former world champion Leonardo Lins of Brazil in the men’s individual category while Christina Ferrer takes on titleholder Marcela Lopes of Brazil and other bright names on the distaff side.

Despite the handicap, Mendez and Mendelebar vowed not to get intimidated and promised to put on a good showing after weeks of perfecting their routines.

Assistant coach Marion Ignacio, the team’s choreographer, said flaws were already minimized during the last few days.

“We can’t just watch them in awe and put pressure on ourselves. As long as we execute properly, we will have a fighting chance,” said the 28-year-old Mendez, a first-timer in the event but easily the best bet for the seven-man RP delegation.

In the mixed pairs division, Dico Ili and Ferrer face tough foes from Bulgaria, Argentina, Italy, Colombia, France and Mexico.

The country’s participation is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission.