Depiro hauled themselves off the bottom of the table, handing the champions their first league defeat, and throwing the issue wide open again, at both ends of the standings.
Just when Hamrun seemed to have the game in command, in the last quarter, they suffered Depiro's insistence, and fell prey to them.
Hamrun were a changed side from last Sunday's Super Cup win over Pembroke, as they had to do without injured players Jide Jetson and captain Albert Spiteri, and Steve Pace is now an absent feature in their games.
The champions took some time to settle down and Depiro, with a good turn of speed, took the opportunity to go ahead, at 10-2. Liberty responded till the end of the session, and two late hoops brought them to just a basket down.
In the second session, Hamrun were caught cold as Depiro's lead started to escalate. Hamrun failed to pierce their opponents' zone, and a 15-0 run, ending with a couple of treys, gave Depiro a substantial lead.
Liberty recovered partially but Depiro had the better ending to the quarter, enjoying a comfortable 36-15 advantage.
After the break, Hamrun pulled their socks up and started their way back. Depiro tried to stem the tide, but Liberty were in full cry, and after an opening skirmish, a 13-3 run, broken only by a David Agius trey, put the champions much nearer. After three sessions Depiro were 43-34 in front.
The last quarter was eventful. Little by little Hamrun went to within a basket. Depiro's coach, Adrian Mifsud, was expelled on two technical fouls, after objecting to calls against his team.
When Liberty went ahead, at 46-45, they were badly hit by two J.P. Azzopardi treys and, visibly shaken, Hamrun went further behind. Time ran out on the champions as Depiro gleefully picked up the two points. Hamrun failed to register a single trey throughout the whole match.
After the game Hamrun signed the score sheet under protest, at the long delay in re-starting the game, after the coach's suspension, in the final session.
Depiro: 13 Jean Paul Azzopardi, 12 Don Ross
Hamrun: 17 Abraham Portelli, 11 Omar Said, 11 Addison Bonnici
Referees: Bernard Vassallo, Stephen Micallef
Siggiewi Smina 7
Pembroke 55
(10-17)(21-16)(22-18)(19-4)
Siggiewi emulated Depiro's prowess in the previous match, to reach the same Depiro and Luxol on equal points, but with Luxol playing a game less. Pembroke suffered their second defeat in a row, after their Super Cup loss to Hamrun.
Pembroke still had missing players in Jeffrey Gatt, and Duncan Cuschieri, who retired injured, during the match. They recovered Tino Riolo in the third session.
Siggiewi began with a Peter Shoults trey and then went on to a 9-4 lead. Pembroke settled down and some methodical play gave them a 13-1 run till the end of the session, as Cuschieri sank a side trey.
In the second quarter Pembroke opened up their advantage, after suffering the opening basket. They were 23-12 ahead when Siggiewi hit back grandly, and treys from three different players made it a one hoop game.
A little later and Siggiewi were in front: 27-26. The lead then changed hands till the end of the session, and at the interval it was Pembroke on a 33-31 advantage.
After the break the two sides were still locked together, and changing leads. Kristinn Baldacchino sank a number of free throws, to put Pembroke 45-41 ahead. Siggiewi retaliated and two treys brought the game to a tie, as Siggiewi were chasing everything in sight. At the end of the quarter a Louis Camilleri hoop gave Siggiewi a slight 53-51 lead.
In the last quarter, Sacha Saakian added on to Siggiewi's lead as Pembroke were finding their way barred in their opponents' zone. With less than four minutes on the clock it was a 61-55 match. An 8-0 break, with a Peter Shoults trey, enhanced Siggiewi's lead as the time wound down. Pembroke didn't have the energy to get within reach again, and Siggiewi went on with their run, to register their second league win.
Siggiewi: 21 Louis Canmilleri, 20 Peter Shoults,13 Sacha Saakian
Pembroke: 20 Michael Naudi, 18 Kristinn Baldacchino
Referees: Emanuel Mangani, Carlo Farrugia