Punahou and ‘Iolani once again brought out the best in each other Saturday, with the game going down to the very end.

And for the third time in three games this season, it was the Buffanblu who found a way to pull out the victory.

Duke Clemens scored 14 points and Kaulana Makaula added 11 as host Punahou beat ‘Iolani 50-47 in the semifinals of the ILH boys Division I single-elimination tournament.

The Buffanblu (11-3) clinched a state-tournament berth with the victory and can finish no worse than the league’s No. 2 seed.

“Anytime you can get into the state tournament from the ILH it’s a huge accomplishment,” Punahou coach Darren Matsuda said. “We’re relieved and happy right now.”

Punahou will play at Maryknoll at 6:30 p.m. on Monday for the ILH title. St. Francis will play at ‘Iolani at 6 p.m. on Monday for third place and a state tournament berth.

Buffanblu freshman point guard Peyton Macapulay was fouled with 14 seconds left and sank both ends of a 1-and-1 to give his team a three-point lead.

‘Iolani’s Frank Felix and Noah Bumanglag missed 3-pointers as the final seconds ticked away.

During the regular season, Punahou beat ‘Iolani 57-56 on Jan. 15 and 50-44 on Jan. 31.

“It’s a good competition every time we play,” said Clemens, a senior. “They come prepared, we come prepared. It’s always a battle physically and mentally on the court.”

Said ‘Iolani coach Dean Shimamoto: “We’re both really good teams, so you expect this kind of game almost every time. It’s going to be hard fought, it’s going to come down to the last shot.”

Punahou will play Maryknoll in the final Monday.

Maryknoll joined Punahou in the title game with a 70-52 win over St. Francis on Saturday.

“Maryknoll plays really good defense and they’re super long and athletic,” Matsuda said.

On Saturday, Punahou took a 33-26 lead on Clemens’ basket with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter, but ‘Iolani rallied with the Buffanblu resting four starters and cut the deficit to 39-38 entering the fourth.

“We were kind of gassed,” Matsuda said. “Our bench usually is really good and steps up, but it wasn’t our day today. That group is solid, we have the utmost confidence in them. It wasn’t because we put our bench in. It’s just the way the game flowed.”

Punahou took its largest lead at 46-38 on Clemens’ field goal with three minutes remaining, but ‘Iolani cut the deficit to 46-45 with 1:03 left after two free throws by Kawika Lee.

The Buffanblu’s Tamatoa Falatea made a basket with 50 seconds left to put his team back up by three, but Lee sank a pair of free throws to get the Raiders within 48-47 with 33 ticks remaining. ‘Iolani then sent Macapulay to the line.

Macapulay assisted on both Punahou field goals over the final three minutes.

“I’m just very thankful that Coach Darren gives me the responsibility for this team,” Macapulay said. “He always uses the metaphor: ‘I have the keys to the car, if I drive it correctly, everyone will follow.’ I did that today.”

Punahou relied on its size advantage inside to get its points, while ‘Iolani settled for 3-point attempts.

Clemens scored all of his points in the paint and Makaula was able to slash and get out in transition for layups.

“We have some size inside. We try to take advantage of it,” Matsuda said. “They do a really good job of trying to prevent that, too, so we had to work the ball around, be patient to get the ball inside.”

The Raiders (8-6) sank seven 3-pointers among their 17 made field goals.

Felix finished with 13 points and Lee scored all nine of his points in the second half for ‘Iolani.

“We’re so undersized, we fight from the beginning until the end, otherwise we wouldn’t be competitive,” Shimamoto said. “Fortunately, we shoot it pretty well. We’re never really out of a game. Hopefully, we can shoot our way back into it. I’m glad we fought.”

‘Iolani can still qualify for the state tournament, but must beat St. Francis in a playoff for the third and final ILH berth.

Maryknoll 70, St. Francis 52

Niko Robben scored 13 points and Payton Grant and Makoto Kamata each added 12 as the Spartans beat the Saints.

Marcus Tobin added 10 points for Maryknoll (12-1).

Kameron Ng and Kordel Ng each scored 22 points for St. Francis (7-7).