SU Accountancy team places 2nd runner-up in PwC PH M&A Challenge

A team of fourth-year Accountancy students from Silliman University placed second runner-up in the 10th PwC Philippines Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Challenge, following the final round held on January 16, 2026 at the PwC Office in AIA Tower, Makati City.

Competing under the team name Team Synergy, the Silliman delegation bested over a hundred teams nationwide to secure third place overall in the prestigious case-study competition focused on mergers and acquisitions. The team was composed of Alessandra Isabelle A. Donesa, Arabella L. Torres, Brent John Xylex C. Tabinas, and Princess Antonette A. Tesado, with Dr. Florenda A. Caseres serving as coach and adviser.

Adding to the team’s achievement, Donesa was named Best Presenter, one of only two awardees in the category, and received a medal and certificate from the organizers.

The overall champion of the competition was University of San Jose–Recoletos, while University of the Philippines Diliman finished as first runner-up. Consolation prizes were awarded to the University of San Carlos, University of Santo Tomas, and Tarlac State University.

The PwC Philippines M&A Challenge is the country’s pioneer merger-and-acquisition-focused case competition, designed to give undergraduate students in business-related programs hands-on experience in corporate finance advisory work under real-world conditions. Winning teams gain mentorship and exposure from seasoned PwC M&A professionals.

This year’s competition drew 120 teams in the first round, conducted online from October 20 to November 17, 2025. Fifteen teams advanced to the second round, with Team Synergy earning a place among the Top 6 finalists announced on December 17, 2025.