UPLB to carry PH flag at HSBC biz case tilt
They had three hours to solve a problem no one had seen before.
Inside a competition room, four students from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) read through an unpublished business case, divided the work and raced against time.
There were no second chances—only a clock, a panel of judges and the expectation to deliver.
By the end of it, they had done more than just present a solution. They had earned the right to carry the Philippine flag.
The Nexus team of UPLB emerged as national champion in the HSBC Philippines Business Case Competition, securing a slot in the Asia Pacific global finals in Hong Kong this June.
The team members are Genesis Haylan Mendoza, Mary Rose Esguerra, Jaqueline Marie Posadas and Alliah Mae Pacao.
“The toughest challenge was managing time—cracking the case, preparing materials and practicing for the presentation,” the team says.
Tasks had to be split with precision. Every minute had to count.
So they broke the problem down—assigning roles, setting time limits and working in parallel.
One member focused on analysis. Another shaped the narrative. Others refined slides and delivery.
Tough format
From an initial pool of 23 teams nationwide, only 12 advanced to the final, face-to-face round on April 18.
“The case studies challenge students’ creativity, problem-solving skills and communication skills—all critical aspects of a strong business leader,” says Sandeep Uppal, president and CEO at HSBC Philippines.
For Nexus, the pressure extended beyond the case itself.
During the semifinals and finals, two members faced an unexpected hurdle—literally.
One experienced a broken shoe heel, while another had a shoe about to separate from its sole.
The moment could have been distracting, even derailing. Instead, it became a quiet test of composure.
One practiced walking with a broken heel. The other wrapped her shoe with tape.
They laughed it off. Then they went back to work.
If anything, it underscored what the competition demanded: adaptability, presence of mind and the ability to perform under imperfect conditions.
Winning, the team admitted, was not something they had fully expected.
“We were up against more seasoned teams from other schools,” the team says. “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.”
But somewhere between the late-night preparations and the final presentation, something clicked.
Nexus did not just keep pace. It stood out.
The team bested entries from across the country, including finalists from the UP Tacloban and Miriam College, which placed second and third, respectively.
Nexus team member Posadas was also named “best presenter”—recognition that reflected not just analytical rigor, but clarity in communication.
For the organizers, the competition is as much about outcomes as it is about exposure.
“Aisec is a platform that stands for our belief to empower young people through leadership development,” says Kiana Palacios, president of Aisec in the Philippines, noting how the event brings together students from across the country.
Aisec is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential.
What’s next
For the students themselves, the stakes have shifted.
Now, the Nexus team is preparing for a bigger stage—the Asia Pacific finals in Hong Kong, where 24 universities will compete.
“Representing the Philippines in the global finals is a rare honor,” the team says.
“This win comes with great responsibility,” the team enthuses, noting the need to “level up” as they prepare to face international counterparts.
Preparation, this time, is broader—and more deliberate.
The team is balancing academic requirements with intensive training: strategy meetings, case-solving simulations, debates and team-building sessions. Even wardrobe discussions and wellness routines have found their way into the schedule.
It is not just about solving cases anymore.
It is about presenting a version of themselves—and of Filipino talent—that can stand on a regional stage.
“As Philippine flag bearers, we are highly motivated,” the team says. “We will do our best to make the university and our countrymen proud.”
Still, beneath the structure and preparation, the core of their story remains simple.
Four students, given a problem and a limited amount of time, chose to trust each other. They divided the work. They adapted when things went wrong. They found humor in small disruptions.
And in doing so, they built something more than a winning presentation.
In a competition designed to simulate real-world pressure, Nexus showed that solutions are not just about numbers or slides. They are about people—how they think, how they respond and how they move forward together.
But if their journey so far is any indication, the team knows exactly where to begin. With three hours and a plan.
