How to Create a Sample Fact Sheet for Filipino Sports Writing Success

Having spent over a decade in Philippine sports journalism, I've seen countless promising writers struggle to capture the essence of our vibrant basketball culture. That's why I'm convinced that creating an effective fact sheet is the most underrated skill in Filipino sports writing. Let me share with you exactly how I structure mine, using a recent example that's been particularly fascinating to me - Mike Sampurna's performance with Taguig.

When I sat down to analyze Taguig's recent conference, the numbers that jumped out at me were almost unbelievable. Mike Sampurna, their former Finals MVP, was putting up what I consider video game statistics - 17.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Now, these aren't just random numbers to throw into an article. What makes these statistics so compelling is how they tell a complete story about a player's impact. The 7.5 assists particularly stood out to me because it shows he's not just a scorer but a genuine playmaker, which is somewhat rare for someone who also averages double-digit rebounds. I always make sure to highlight such unique combinations in my fact sheets because they become the anchors for my narrative.

The way I approach building these fact sheets has evolved significantly over the years. I start with the raw data, yes, but then I layer it with contextual observations that most readers would miss. For instance, when I note that Sampurna will be "leading from the front" for Taguig, that phrase carries specific weight based on his historical performance in pressure situations. I'm particularly interested in how his current 10.5 rebound average compares to his career average of 8.2, which tells me he's expanding his game at a crucial time. These comparative elements often become the foundation for predicting how a player might perform in upcoming matches, something my readers have come to appreciate about my analysis.

What separates an adequate fact sheet from an exceptional one, in my experience, is the inclusion of what I call "predictive indicators." Sampurna's near-triple-double averages aren't just impressive on their face - they suggest he's likely to record actual triple-doubles during the season, which becomes a storyline to follow. I've found that tracking these progression patterns helps readers understand a player's development trajectory. Honestly, I'm predicting he'll average at least two triple-doubles in the next five games based on his current form, though some of my colleagues think that's too optimistic.

The practical application of these fact sheets extends beyond just pre-game analysis. I use them during live coverage to quickly reference player tendencies and historical performance. When Sampurna grabbed 15 rebounds in last week's game, my fact sheet immediately reminded me that this was his second-highest rebound total this season, allowing me to provide that context to readers in real-time. This immediate access to organized information has saved me countless times during tight deadlines. I've trained my junior writers to maintain similar sheets, and the improvement in their content quality has been remarkable.

Another aspect I emphasize is visual organization, even though we're talking about text-based information. I always position the most surprising statistic first - in Sampurna's case, those 7.5 assists for a forward - because that's what hooks the reader. Then I build around it with supporting data and context. This approach has increased reader engagement with my pieces by what I estimate to be around 40% based on analytics, though our exact tracking methods could use some refinement.

What many new writers miss is that a fact sheet shouldn't just be a collection of numbers. It needs to breathe life into the statistics. When I write that Sampurna averaged 17.8 points, I immediately follow it with analysis of his shooting percentages from different areas of the court and how defenses have been adjusting to him. This transforms raw data into compelling narrative. I'm particularly impressed by how his efficiency has improved despite increased defensive attention, which speaks to his basketball IQ.

After years of refining this process, I'm convinced that the difference between good and great sports writing often comes down to the quality of the preparatory work. The fact sheet becomes your strategic advantage, allowing you to write with authority and insight that separates your content from the competition. Sampurna's case perfectly illustrates how detailed preparation can reveal stories within the statistics that might otherwise go unnoticed. The next time you're covering a game, invest the time in building a comprehensive fact sheet - your readers will notice the difference, and so will your editors when they see the depth of your analysis.