Calilan played for his alma mater Jose Rizal College (JRC; now known as Jose Rizal University or JRU) varsity basketball team JRC Heavy Bombers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) (NCAA).
The team won the 1972 NCAA championship, when they were led by Philip Cezar, his brother David, and Jimmy Santos.
Calilan coached the Ateneo Blue Eagles and led them to their first University Athletic Association of the Philippines championship in 1987.
[4] The team was packed by future PBA players Olsen Racela, Eric Reyes, and Danny Francisco defeating Jerry Codiñera-led UE in 1987.
[5][6][7] After winning the UAAP championship, he also coached the Purefoods franchise in the PBA, served an assistant to the Shell, and Barangay Ginebra.