Rappler posted this clip of the event organizer (East West) explaining that they (including PLDT) never advertised this as a game:
http://youtu.be/ojMr9PoPDm0Decepticon ba 'to?! If they never intended to have the fans think that there was going to be a full game, it should have been very clear in their ads - like in bold, all caps text: "THIS IS NOT AN EXHIBITION GAME". Di yata mahirap gawin 'yun. With how they were harping about this event since it was announced, no question that they wanted the fans to believe that it was going to be a full game like the one they had here during the lockout. Kawawa rin 'yung Gilas players. Sayang ang opportunity.
It's good that PLDT (through MVP) eventually issued a formal apology for this mess. But yeah, someone really has to be held accountable for this. I can see a lawsuit brewing. Laki ng lugi ng PLDT dito. Yahoo (through Adrian Wojnarowski) mentioned that each player was paid an average of USD150K for their trip here, plus other expenses. And that's just the players' "talent fees".
I also recall that NBA players could join exhibition games during the offseason. Zo's Summer Groove is one example (don't know if they still hold this though). This doesn't seem like it's an official NBA event and it's for charity. Maybe the new CBA clamped down on this.