A team of four students from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) has emerged as the national champion in the HSBC Philippines Business Case Competition, earning the opportunity to represent the country at the Asia Pacific global finals in Hong Kong this June.
The team, named Nexus, consists of Genesis Haylan Mendoza, Mary Rose Esguerra, Jaqueline Marie Posadas, and Alliah Mae Pacao. They were given three hours to analyze an unpublished business case, divide tasks, and prepare a presentation for a panel of judges.
"The toughest challenge was managing time—cracking the case, preparing materials, and practicing for the presentation," the team said.
From an initial pool of 23 teams nationwide, only 12 advanced to the final round held on April 18. The competition tested creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills, according to Sandeep Uppal, president and CEO of HSBC Philippines.
During the semifinals and finals, two team members faced unexpected obstacles: one had a broken shoe heel, and another had a shoe sole coming apart. Despite these distractions, they maintained their composure and continued to perform.
"We were up against more seasoned teams from other schools," the team admitted. "We joined primarily for the experience—to solve business case issues under time pressure, meet fellow students, and hone our critical thinking and problem-solving skills."
Nexus bested entries from across the country, including UP Tacloban (second place) and Miriam College (third place). Team member Posadas was also named "best presenter" for her clarity and analytical rigor.