My interpretation of it is demonstrating a player's will to continue a battle despite knowing they're either going to lose or if the opponent is going to disconnect after the battle is done.
I got disconnected on a player who used all shiny mons, with their Empoleon holding a Quick Claw at that. I knew they were going to disconnect, but in the end I held my head up high and continued the battle knowing I would be greeted by the blue screen of death.
/rant