Newcomer Immaculada Concepcion College (ICC) and University of Batangas (UB) inched closer to winning the volleyball crowns in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL)-PGFlex Season 7 after taking the opening matches of their respective best-of-three title series on Tuesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Drawing inspired performance from Angeliz Cosme, the ICC Lady Blue Hawks demolished the host squad, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18, to move a win away from completing a grand sweep of the title.

Cosme was almost unstoppable, finishing with 12 points on seven attacks and five aces to lead the Caloocan-based squad to its 11th straight win since the elims of the 10-school league.

Another win on Friday would crown themselves as UCAL volleyball queens.

That’s also the mission of the UB Brahmans after eking out a pulsating 30-28, 22-25, 26-24, 13-25, 15-13 win over the ICC Blue Hawks in the opening of their own series that has the backing of Akari, Advance Solutions Inc., Smart Sports, Spalding, Team Rebel Sports, Quintana Sports, Crane Faucet, Hapee Toothpaste, Jiang Nan Restaurant, Vital, TopFlite Academy, Maruyama and Gerry’s Grill.

Middle spiker Aldrin Rosales scattered 18 points on 16 attacks and two blocks for the Brahmans who are going for their first title after losing to Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas last year.

Gio Devosora put on another explosive show for ICC but his 21-point effort went down the drain after the Brahmans came through with huge defensive stops in the crunch.