>>40489989Ash winning was probably more due to the writers, specifically.
Like, internally, the writers threw a massive shitfit about Ash losing in XY, but were forced to make him lose, despite the entire office's protests.
Also having him win such a casual league is always going to feel kinda... cheap; I doubt anyone had to twist anyone's arm too hard to allow them to write Ash as the winner in this kind of league.