FunPlus Phoenix have signed Lithuanian Duelist Richard "77even" Venskevychius ahead of their participation in VCT China Threshold, the event that will designate the region's two guest/invite teams.
77even has played for seven different teams in 2026, across Challengers competition, EVC and other non-Riot events. He most recently competed in the Monsters Reloaded: EMEA Qualifier and EVC: Surge 13 with Pixel Lumina, and also played for Twisted Saints Esports in the EMEA LCQ.
After its VCT season ended, FPX won China Evolution Series: Act 3, with Zhubibi as the primary Duelist. The team has since struggled to return to the top of the region, with a 5th-6th finish at China Kickoff 2025 its best result since the end of 2024. On average, it has placed outside the top 10 in the region since then.
The team previously parted ways with in-game leader KovaQ after an internal investigation, in which the organization found an "inappropriate remark" made in an in-game conversation with teammates. FPX was not selected for partnership and will compete in China Threshold for a chance to play in VCT.
Roles have not been set, including who will take over in-game leading duties after KovaQ, but 77even appears set to be the primary Duelist. The roster now consists of AAAAY, coconut, Xlele, 77even and Setrod, with Nikola "LEGIJA" Ninić as head coach.