I agree hydrolock would have enough force to crush the ring gap, but generally, there are many other weaker points that would fail first. (Like the rods for example, or the center of the piston crown, where it is thin, would deform down before the ring gap would be affected.
However, if the piston was very hot, say from the above mentioned detonation, it should show signs of pitting and material loss. (Unless it was coated, then it might not.) The hot metal would be weaker, and could cause failure of the ring lands, but generally it again blows out the center of the crown area where there is less material to support the semi molten crown surface..
However, when a piston is heated up like this, anything's possible. Squish areas could cause the detonation to start, and that could cause localized heating of the piston crown at that area v/s in the middle of the crown... Thus the reason a smooth crown surface is a good idea. It helps to prevent sharp edges and points from becomming hot spots that can cause even more detonation, and even pre-ignition. (That will end a motor's day in a hurry.)
One last question? Did your friend order the correct thickness of ring? The problem might not be the piston, but the ring thickness....
Measure twice, blame once is a good saying here I suppose.