Did you know if next year the 2 ascension team cannot going to playoff, then the next slot ascension will get 3 slot. So its same case with Pacific ascension who the winner and runner up both got the slot.
Based on your argument "Ascension is about getting into Vct after WINNING ascension" the next runner up even the third place can easily going to VCT League without winning Ascension
Imagine if riot using your logic, then next ascension should be held 3 times lol