The Lady Falcons bucked the exit of ace player Merenciana Arayi in regulation play, banking on a total team effort on defense to hack out the title repeat.
Arayi dished out a performance worthy of an MPV awardee with 18 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, four steals and one block before fouling out late in regulation time.
With Arayi riding the bench and Mythical Team member Maritess Gadian shackled by the Ateneo defense, Janeth Yanez and Jenalyn Constantino took charge for Adamson in overtime.
Constantino buried a triple while Yanez canned in a foul shot and a twinner as they denied the Lady Eagles from finally winning their first-ever crown.
"Sabi ko kay Janeth (Yanez) last year na niya kaya ibigay na niya ang lahat. I’m happy she responded well," said long-time national mainstay and Adamson coach Emilia Vega.
Dulce Bombeo also played a key role for Adamson, spearheading the team’s decisive run in a span bridging the last two quarters that had the team erasing a 10-point deficit.
But Vega felt defense was the biggest key.
"Noong una straight full court man-to-man kami pero hindi nag-work out. Noong nag-double kami sa first ball recipient ng inbounds, doon nagsimula ang lahat. Hindi na sila nakapag-adjust," said Vega.
Ateneo had a chance to force a second overtime but they spent the time away without making an attempt at the basket.
Pipay Villanueva had an explosive 26-point performance but was denied possession in the closing seconds.