Ateneo’s 309 Consulting wins national title at the HSBC Philippines Business Case Competition

Ateneo’s 309 Consulting took home the national championship at the HSBC Philippines Business Case Competition 2025, held on April 5 at the Ateneo de Manila University. Out of 15 competing schools from across the country, the team earned the top spot and the chance to represent the Philippines at the regional finals this June in Hong Kong.

The winning team—Paolo Nicolo Opeña (4 BS MGT-H), Maria Daniela Sofia Pedrosa (4 BS ITE), Sofia Marianne So (4 BS CTM), and Aiji Umemori (4 BS ME)—are all students from the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM). They were mentored by JGSOM alumni Louie Miranda (BS MGT 2023), Monica Sugay (BS MGT-H 2024), and Trina Hombre (BS MGT 2024).

Joining Ateneo on the winners’ podium were the University of Asia and the Pacific, who took Silver, and Silliman University, who earned Bronze. Michael John Mirasol of Silliman University was recognized as Best Speaker of the Finals, rounding out a strong showing from student leaders across the country.

Across two intense rounds, teams were challenged with solving real-world business problems under tight time constraints. The first case focused on helping a legacy brand reconnect with Gen Z consumers. 309 Consulting’s solution centered on a brand refresh anchored by an online-to-offline (O2O) activation strategy, which helped them secure the top spot in their division and a place in the finals.

The final case asked teams to design a strategy for rural revitalization and sustainable growth in a rapidly aging society. With less than three hours to analyze the data, frame the issues, and present a comprehensive solution, 309 Consulting proposed a winning plan that balanced economic viability with long-term social impact. 

As national champions, the Ateneo contingent will head Hong Kong this June 2 to 6 for the HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition—the world’s largest undergraduate case competition. Organized by the Asia Case Research Centre, the competition brings together top student teams from the region to tackle real-world business challenges and foster global collaboration.

With their eyes on the Asia-Pacific stage, 309 Consulting is preparing for another round of high-stakes, high-speed problem solving—this time alongside the best and brightest from across the globe.