Looking to be dead in the water for most of Saturday afternoon, Alaska gutted out a second half effort that befuddled Barako Bull to post the biggest come-from-behind victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup this season.

Down by 22 points at the end of the first half, the Aces battled back like crazy in the final two quarters to churn out a 101-95 victory over the Energy for a piece of the elimination round lead and a virtual place in the top four of the playoffs.

Romeo Travis scored 12 points in the third and led Alaska in doubling Barako Bull’s output, 32-16, as the Aces rallied from a 62-40 deficit at the end of the second too head into the final quarter very much in the fight again.

“It was an ugly first half,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said. “I didn’t exactly do anything out there. The guys did everything to win. There were no magical game plans (at halftime), I just have a lot of character guys out there.”

Calvin Abuena scored 10 of his 16 points in the final half and Travis helped contain 7-foot-2 Barako Bull import to just one point in the fourth quarter as the Aces rose to 7-2, tying idle San Miguel Beer for the lead and nailing the second twice-to-beat privilege.

Rookie Chris Banchero tossed in a career-high 20 points, spiking his performance with a basket with 8:31 remaining that had the Aces taking an 82-81 lead to stay.

The comeback was the biggest in the tournament, and one, which many didn’t see coming as the Energy were playing great only to implode in the third period.

McMorrow was chopped down to size by the gang-defending Aces and was a non-factor when the chips were down for the Energy.

It was the second straight disappointing performance for the erstwhile leading Best Import candidate, coming on the heels of a 12-point effort in a 71-68 loss to KIA Motors last week where he fared badly against Hamady N’Diyae.

Barako Bull also lost consecutive games for the first time in the tournament and dropped to 6-3, still good for third place but with just two chances remaining for a top four seat.

After the Energy ended the third quarter leading by just six, RR Garcia connected on a triple for what turned out to be Barako Bull’s final stand.

Banchero then instigated a telling 18-2 run to put Alaska ahead, 90-83, going into the final five minutes that effectively knocked the wind out of the Energy’s sails.

The last time the Energy threatened was when Joseph Yeo hit a five straight points and Garcia another triple for 95-94 going into the final 1:33, only for starting point guard JV Casio to drain a trey just nine seconds later.

Rain or Shine also barged into the quarterfinal round, winning a fourth straight game later in the night, 103-88, over defending champion Star (formerly Purefoods).

Wendell McKines scored 28 points, Jeff Chan added 16 and Paul Lee 13 as the Elasto Painters continued to flaunt sharp form to rise to 5-4. Rain or Shine has actually won five of its last six games, its only defeat in that streak coming at the hands of Barangay Ginebra in Dubai last month.

The defending champion Hotshots dropped to 3-5 and remained out of the playoff picture. Star is trying to keep the last of the three titles it won in a historic Grand Slam last season but went down to their fifth loss in the last six games.

Marc Pingris had 25 points, Joe Devance added 15 and Marcus Blakely 13 for the Hotshots.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra tries to cling to its fading hopes of contending for a top four berth on Sunday when the Gin Kings slug it out with a Meralco side seeking to formalize its entry into the quarterfinals.

Game time is 5:15 p.m. also at the storied Big Dome floor just after Globalport tries to inch closer to a twice-to-beat privilege when it clashes with giant-killer KIA Motors at 3 p.m.