If you want in and you don't want to run by those BS rules, you're gonna have to make a monetary investment to do it. You will not do it f2p. It's gonna cost you time and crystals in the short run. Assuming you have the team(s) that can beat folks and take #1, just power climb an hour before your PO paying for the cooldown so you don't give them a chance to train you back. Learn others POs and avoid folks who have upcoming POs. Be smart and time it so once you get to #1, you can instantly lock yourself until after PO. Do the math based on where you are that day and don't lose. If you do this NO ONE can prevent you from taking #1. Will you not get as many crystals...maybe break even during this time? Maybe. But the point you are making is that you are willing to do it. Every day. Every day!
If someone who DOESN'T have your PO snipes you then take note of that player and find his PO on gg. (If someone snipes you during their PO then you really can't get mad at that. Thats the game) You make sure during his next 2 POs you snipe him. Whether you lock him up preventing him from climbing or sniping his PO last min. You teach everyone that does that a lesson. Everyone. Then message them in game telling them why you did that and you will do that every time he does that to you. That you are more than willing to live and let live. He leaves you alone during your PO and you will leave him alone during his. That the only ppl that should care are people in your PO. Trust me...no one wants to be online in game for an hour+ watching you to make sure you don't snipe them every day.
They will figure out that you aren't going away and they will start a dialogue with you prob within a month (not that BS 3 month thing). Be nice. Offer to move to a less crowded PO time.
You're welcome.