Yeah I get what you mean it just seems like a very cheap way to resolve ties, a much more impartial way would be awarding the one who clears the opponent first or took fewer Overall battles to get to the end score.
In my case it was both and it was a tough and fun battle against a good opponent. Having the effort resolved in such a way just cheapens both my loss and his victory, since I both cleared him first and it took me fewer battles to do it.
Thankfully, you get daily crystals for ones placement in GAC so, thanks to the developers for continuing to kill any will for effort! ^^