The Muntinlupa Cagers responded with a strong performance, defeating the Zamboanga Familys Brand Sardines 86-73 at home on February 18, 2026. After a prior loss, the Cagers showcased improved defense and efficient scoring to hand Zamboanga a double-digit defeat and get back to winning ways. Muntinlupa set the defensive tone early, disrupting Zamboanga's rhythm and converting turnovers into easy baskets. A sustained run in the third quarter extended their lead to a comfortable margin that they maintained until the final buzzer. The 13-point victory was a statement of resilience from the Cagers and demonstrated their capability to compete with the league's higher-scoring teams.