Kiko Calilan was a Jose Rizal University graduate, he played for Torres High School in the late 1930s and had a four-year stint in the NCAA with the Heavy Bombers.

Kiko starred for several commercial squads in the MICAA, including Olympic Sporting Goods, Heacock's, Philippine Ports Terminal, and Interwood.

He went on to pilot several clubs, including U-Tex, but made his mark as the Jose Rizal senior varsity mentor in the period 1957-1989.

In 1975, Calilan was part of the coaching staff that accompanied the nationals in the eight ABC tournament in Bangkok.

He became assistant to coach Ron Jacobs for the nationals in the 1982 ABC Youth basketball championships held in Manila.